DICTIONARY
O F T H E
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
VOL I.
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2007 with funding from
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http://vyww.archive.org/details/dictionaryofengl01johnuoft
Samuel Johk^son, i..i..d.
A
DICTIONARY
OF THE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE:
I N W H I C H
THE WORDS ARE DEDUCED FROM THEIR ORIGINALS,
AND ILLUSXaATED IN THEIR DIFFERENT SIGNIFICATIONS BY EXAMPLES" FROM THE BEST WRITERS.
TO WHICH ARE PREFIXED,
A HISTORYoF.THE LANGUAGE,
AND
An ENGLISH GRAMMAR.
By SAMUEL JOHNSON, LL.D.
IN TWO VOLUMES. V O L. L ^
THE SIXTH EDITION.
Cum tabulis animum cenforis fumet honefti :
Auilebit quKcunque paruin fplendoris habebunt,
Et fine pondere erunt, ct honore indigna ferentur,
Verba moverc loco; quamvis invita recedant,
Et vcrfciituT adhuc intra penetralia Vcftx:
Obfcurata d;u populo bonus eruet, atqUe
Proferct in luccm fpcctolii vocabula rerum,
(^i.x- prifcis mcmorata Catonibus atque Cethsgis
Nunc fitus informis preinit ct delerta vetuftas. HoR.
LONDON
Piinteil for J. F. and C. Rivrrr.TOs, L. Davis, T. Payne and Sos, T. Losgmas, B. I, aw, J. Dodsley, C. Di^ly,
W. LowKors, G. G. J. ariil J. Kobinson, T. Cadeli., Jo. Johnson,, J. Kobson, W. Richardson, J. Nichols,
R. Ealdwih, W. Goldsmith, J. Murray, W. Stuart, P. Elmsly, W. Fox, S. H.vYtf, V. OoiuviE,
W. Bent, T. and J. Eoerton, J. Phillips, nnd M. NjiWBERV.
M.DCC.LXXXV.
R E F A C E.
IT is the fate of thofe who toil at the lower employments of life, to be rather driven by the fear of'
evil, than attrafted by the profpedt of good j to be expofed to cenfure, without hope of praife ; to be
difgraced by mifcarriage, or punifhed for negleft, where fuccefs would have been without applaufe,
and diligence without reward.
Among thefe unhappy mortals is the writer of diflionarlesj whom mankind have confidered, not as the
pupil, but the Have of fcience, the pioneer of literature, doomed only to remove rubbifh and clear ob-
ftruftions from the paths through which Learning and Genius prefs forwai-d to conqueft and glory, without
bellowing a fmile on the humble drudge that facilitates their progrefs. Every other author may afpire to
praife; the lexicographer can only hope to efcape reproach, and even this negative recompenfe has been yet
granted to very few.
I have, notwithftanding this difcouragement, attempted a Dictionary of the Englijh language, which,
■while it was employed in the cultivation of every fpecies of literature, has itfelf been hitherto neglefted j
fuffered to fpread, under the direftion of chance, into wild exuberance ; refigned to the tyranny of time
and fafhion; and expofed to the corruptions of ignorance, and caprices of innovation.
"When I took the firft furvey of my undertaking, I found our fpeech copious without order, and
energetick without rules: wherever I turned my view, there was perplexity to be difentangled, and con-
fufion to be regulated; choice was to be made out of boundlefs variety, without any eftablifhed principle
of feledlion ; adulterations were to be deted:ed, without a fettled tcft of purity ; and modes of expreffion
to be rejefted or received, without the fuffrages of any writers of claflical reputation or acknowledged
authority.
Having therefore no affiftance but from general grammar, I applied myfelf to the perufal of our writers ;
and noting whatever might be of ufe to afcertain or illuftrate any word or phrafc, accumulated in time the
materials of a didionary, which, by degrees, I reduced to method, eftablifliing to myfelf, in the progrefs
of the work, fuch rules as experience and analogy fuggefted to me ; experience, which pradice and ob-
fervation were continually increafing; and analogy, which, though in fome words obfcure, was evident in
Others.
In adjufting the Orthography, which iias been to this time unfetcled and fortuitous, I found it necef-
fary to diftinguilh thofe irregularities that are inherent in our tongue, and perhaps coeval with it, from
others. which the ignorance or negligence of later writers has produced. Every language has its anomalies,
which, though inconvenient, and in themfelves once unneceffary, muft be tolerated among the imperfec-
tions of human things, and which require only to be rcgiflered, that they may not be increafed, and afcer-
tained, that they may not be confounded: but every language has likewife its improprieties and abfurdides,
which it is the duty of the lexicographer to corredl or profcribe.
As language was at its beginning merely oral, all words of neceflary or common ufe 'were ifjolicn be-.
fore they were written ; and while they were unfixed by any vifible figns, muft ha,ve been fpoken with
great diverfity, as we now obferve thofe who cannot read to catch founds imperfeftly, and utter them
negligently. When this wild and barbarous jargon was firft reduced to an alphabet, every penman endea-
voured to exprefs, as he could, the founds which he was accuftomed to pronounce or to receive, and vi-
tiated in writing fuch words as were already vitiated in fpeech. The powers of the letters, when they
were applied to a new language, muft have been vague and unfettlcd, and therefore different hands would
exhibit the fame found by diiFerent combinations,
7 From
PREFACE.
From this uncfrtain pronunciation arifc in a great part the various dialcds of the fame country, which
will alwAVs bcr obfcrved to grow fewer, and lefs different, as books are multiplied ; and from this arbitrary
reprcfc-nt.uion of founds by letters, proceeds that divcrfity of fpclling obfcrvablc in the Saxon remains,
and I fupjx>fc in the firft books of every nation, which perplexes or dcftroys analogy, and produces ano-
maUius formations, that, being once incorporated, can never be afterwards difmiffed or reformed.
Of this kind arc the derivatives length from long, Jirwgth from ftrong, darling from dear, breadth from
kr—d^ from dry^ drought, and from' high, height, which Miltctt, in real for analogy, writes highthi
^id te fxempta JHvat Jpinis de pluribus una ? to change all would be too much, and to change one is
nothing.
Tl)i 'rninty is moft frequent in the Vowels, which are fo capricioufly pronounced, and fo difFer-
cnily i: i, by accident or afFcAation, not only in every province, but in every mouth, that to
them, as Vk well known to ctymologifts, little regard is to be (hewn in the dcdu<5bion of one language from
JUiotlier.
Such defeifls are not errours in orthography, but fpots of barbarity imprefl*ed fo deep in the EtigUJh
language, that criticifm can never wa(h ihcm away : thefe, therefore, muft be permitted to remain un-
touched ; but many words have likcwife been altered by accident, or depraved by ignorance, as the pro-
nunciation of the vulgar has been weakly followed ; and fome ftill continue to be varioufly written, as
authors differ in their care or fkill : of thefe it was proper to enquire the true orthography, which 1 have
always confidcreil as depending on their derivation, and have therefore referred them to their original lan-
guages : thus I write enchant, enchantment, enchanter, after the French, and incantation after the Latin ; thus
tniire is chofcn rather than intire, becaufc it paffcd to us not from the Latin integer, but from the French
tntiir.
Of many words it is difficult to fay whether they were immediately received from the Latin or the
French, fincc at the time v^hen we had dominions in France, we had Latin fcrvice in our churches. It is,
however, my opinion, that the French generally fupplied us j for we hav^ few Latin words, among the
terms of domeftick ufe, which are not French; but many French, which are very remote from Latin.
Even in words of Jwhich the derivation is apparent, I have been often obliged to facrifice uniformity to
cuffom J thus I write. In compliance v ith a numberlefs majority, convey and inveigh, deceit and receipt,
fancy and phantom -, fomctimes the derivative varies from the primitive, as explain and explanation, repeat
4f>d repetition.
' Some combinations of letters having the fame power, are ufed indifirrently without any difcoverable
reafon of choice, as in choak, choke ; /oap,fope ; fewel, fuel, and many others; which I have fomctimes in-
fcrted twice, that thofe who fearch for them under either form, may not fcarch in vain.
! In examining the orthography of any doubtful word, the mode of fpelling by which it is infcrted in the
(cries of the dictionary, is to be confidercd as that to which I give, perhaps not often rafhly, the prefer-
ence. I have left, in the examples, to every author Iiis own praftice unmolefled, that the reader may
J)alar.ce fuffrages, and judge between us: but this qucftion is not always to be determined by reputed or
by rf.n Irirniii'i;; fome men, intent upon greater things, have thought little on founds and derivations;
f) in the ancient tongues, have neglefted tnofe in which our words are commonly to be fought.
T' .' writes " ■" '> (or feajillenejs, becaufe I fuppofe he imagined it derived immediately
Tr'' . _ ; ; and I uds, fuch as dependant, dependent; dependance, dependence, vary their final
lyllablc, as one or another language is prefent to the writer.
, Jn this part of the work, where caprice has long wantoned without controul, and vanity fought praife
by petty reformation, I have endeavoured to proceed with a fcholar's reverence for antiquity, and a gram-
piarian's regard to die genius of our tongue. I have attempted few alterations, and among tiiofe few,
perhaps the greater part is from the modern to the ancient praftice ; and I hope I may be allowed to re-
corv — ' to thofe, whofe thoughts have been perlnps employed too anxioufly oii verbal fingularitics, not
|(> upon narrow views, or for minute propriety, the orthography of their fatliers. It has been
afll-rted, that for tlie law to be kninvn, is of more imf)ortance than to be right. Change, fays Hooker, is
rot made without inconvenience, even from worfe to better. There is in conft^ancy and Itability a general
and lafling advantage, which wiU always overbalance the flow improvements of gradual correction.
$ " Much
PREFACE.
Much lefs ought our written language to comply with the corruptions of oral utterance, or copy that
which every variation of time or place makes different from itfelf, and imitate thofe changes, which will
again be changed, while imitation is employed in obferving them.
This recommendation of fteadinefs and uniformity does not proceed from an opinion, that particular
combinations of letters have much influence on human happinefs ; or that truth may not be fuccefsfully
taught by modes of fpelling fanciful and erroneous : I am not yet fo loft in lexicography, as to forget that
wcrds are the daughters of earth, and that things are the Jons of heaven. Language is only the inftrument
of fcience, and words are but the figns of ideas : I wifh, however, that the inftrument might be lefs apt to
decay, and that figns might be permanent, like the things which they denote.
In fetding the orthography, I have not wholly negleded the pronunciation, which I have direfted,
by printing an accent upon the acute or elevated fyllable. It will fometimes be found, that the accent
is placed by the author quoted, on a different fyllable from that marked in the alphabetical feries ; it is
then to be underftood, that cuftom has varied, or that the author has, in my opinion, pronounced wrong.
Short directions are fometimes given where the found of letters is irregular ; and if they are fometimes
omitted, defedl in fuch minute obfervations will be more eafily excufed, than fuperfiuity.
In the inveftigation both of the orthography and fignification of words, their Etymology was necef^
farily to be confidered, and they were therefore to be divided into primitives and derivatives. A pri-
mitive word, is that which can be traced no furdier to any Englijh root ; thus circumfpe£ty circumvent, cir-
cumjiance, delude, concave, and complicate, though compounds in the Latin, are to us primitives. Deri-
vatives are all thofe that can be referred to any word in Englijh of greater fimplicity.
The derivatives I have referred to their primitives, with an accuracy fometimes needlefs ; for who does
not fee that remotenejs comes from remote, lovely from love, concavity from concave, and demonftrative from
demonftrate ? but this grammatical exuberance the fcheme of my work did not allow me to reprcfs. It is
of great importance, in examining the general fabrick of a language, to trace one word from another, by
noting the ufual modes of derivation and inflexion ; and uniformity muft be preferved in fyftematical
v.orks, though fometimes at the cxpence of particular propriety.
Among other derivatives I have been careful to infert and elucidate the anomalous plurals of nouns and
preterites of verbs, which in the Teutonick dialcfts are very frequent, and, though familiar to thofe who
have always ufed them, interrupt and embarrafs the learners of our language.
The two languages from which our primitives have been derived are the Roman and Teutonick : under
tlic Roman I comprehend the French and provincial tongues ; and under the Teutonick range the Saxony
German, and all their kindred dialecfts. Moft of our polyfyllables are Roman, and our words of one fyl-
lable are very often Teutonick.
In afllgning the Roman original, it has perhaps fometimes happened that I have . mentioned only the
Latin, when the word was borrowed from the French; and confidcring myfelf as employed only in the
ilhiftration of my own language, I have not been very tarefulto obferve whether the Latin word be pure
or barbarous, or the French elegant or obfolete.
For the Teutonick etymologies I am commonly indebted to Junius and Skinner, the only names which I
have forborn to quote when I copied their books ; not that I might appropriate their labours or ufurp their
honours, but that I might fpare a general repetition by one general acknowledgment. Of thefe, whom I
ought not to mention bur with the reverence due to inftruflors and benefaftors, Junius appears to have
excelled in extent of learning, and Skinner in re6litude of underftanding. Junius was accurately flcilled in
all tiie northern languages. Skinner probably examined the ancient and remoter dialefts only by occafional
infpedion into diftionaries ; but the learning of Junius is often of no other ufe than to fliow him a track by
which he may deviate from his purpofe, to v/hich Skinner always prcffes forward by the Ihorteft way.
Skinner is often ignorant, but never ridiculous : Junius is always full of knowledge j but his variety diftracts
his judgment, and his learning is very frequently difgraced by his abfurditics.
The votaries of the northern mufes will not perhaps eafily reftrain their indignation, when they find the
name o( Junius thus degraded by a difailvantageous comparifon ; but whatever reverence is due to his di-
ligence, or his attainments, it can be no criminal degree of cenibiioufnefs to charge that etym.ologift with
want of judgment, who can ferioufly derive dream from drama, becaufe life is a drama, and a drama is a
dream j
PREFACE.
dreant ; and who declares with a tone of defiance, that no man can fail to derive moan from /^e'l-of, mono$y
Jingle or Jolitary, who confiders that grief naturally loves to be alone *.
Our knowledge of the northern literature is fo fcanty, that of words undoubtedly 7V7</o»/V^, the original is
not always to be found in any ancient language ; and I have therefore infcrted Dutch or German fubftitutes>
which I confider not as radical, but parallel, not as the parents, but fifters of the Englijh.
The words which are reprefented as thus related by defcent or cognation, do not always agree in fenfe j
for it is incident to words, as to their authors, to degenerate from their anceftors, and to change their manners
when they change their country. It is fufficient, in etymological enquiries, if the fenfcs of kindred words
be found fuch as may eafily pafs into each other, or fuch as may both be referred to one general idea.
The etymology, fo far as it is yet known, was eafily found in the volumes where it is particularly and
profelTedly delivered ; and, by proper attention to the rules of derivation, the orthography was foon ad-
jufted. But to COLLECT the Words of our language was a tafk of greater difficulty : the deficiency of
diftionaries was immediately apparent -, and when they were exhaufted, what was yet wanting muft be
fought by fortuitous and unguided excurfions into books, and gleaned as induftry fhould find, or chance
fhould offer it, in the boundlefs chaos of a living fpeech. My fearch, however, has been either fkilful or
lucky i for I have much augmented the vocabulaiy.
x\s my defign was a diftionary, common or appellative, I have omitted all words which have relation to
proper names ; fuch as Avian, Socinian, Calvinijt, Benediifine, Mahometan ; but have retained thofe of ^
more general nature, as Heathen, Pagan.
Of the terms of art I have received fuch as could be found either in books of fcience or technical dic-
tionaries ; and have often inferted, from philofophical writers, words which are fiipported perhaps only by
a fingle authority, and which being not admitted into general ufe, ftand yet as candidates or probationers,
and muft depend for their adoption on the fuffrage of futurity.
The words which our authors have introduced by their knowledge of foreign languages, or ignorance
of their own, by vanity or wantonnefs, by compliance with falhion or luft of innovation, I have regiftered
as they occurred, though commonly only to cenfure them, and warn others againft the folly of naturalizing
ufelefs foreigners to the injury of the natives.
I have not rejefted any by defign, merely becaufe they were unnecefliary or exuberant ; but have re-
ceived thofe which by different writers have been differently formed, as vi/cidy and vijcidity, vifcous, and
vijajity.
Compounded or double words I have feldom noted, except when they obtain a fignification different
from that which the components have in their fimple ftate. Thus highwayman, woodman, and horfecourfer,
require an explanation ; but of thieflike or coachdriver no notice was needed, becaufe the primitives Contain
the meaning of the compounds.
Words arbitrarily formed by a conftant and fettled analogy, like diminutive adjeftives in ijh, as greenijkf,
lluijb ; adverbs in ly, as dully, openly ; fubflf Aiitives in nejs, as vilenejs, faultinejs ; were lefs diligently fought,
and fometimes have been omitted, when I had no authority that invited me to infert them; not that they
• That I may not appear to have fpoken too irreverently of ubi antique fcriptuminvenimns jemoeteb hit emerij. " Inve-
Junius, I have here fubjoined a few fpeciraens of hii ctyinolo- " nit earn vacantem."
gical extravagance. ' ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ p^ g. hyll. Quod videri poteft abfcifum
Bamish, religare, ex banno vel territorio exigere, in exiliiim ex koX/'mi vel w^utl^. Collit, tumulus, locus in piano editior,
»gere. G. bannir. It. bandire,bandeggiare. H. bandir. B. ban- Horn. II. b. v. 8il. tri ^s ti? ir^o9ra^oi8t «■o^so{ amiia, xoPiinj.
nen. M\\ tnedii fcriptores bannire dicebant. V. Spclm. in Ban- Ubi authori brevium fcholiorum xoAwnj exp. tojtov iij a^a^ atn*.u*,
num iV in Banleuga. Quoniam vcro regionum urbiumq; limites yixMipof e4''X''*
ar^uis plerumq; montibi.s altis fluminibus, longis deniq; Qcx- iSIap, to take a nap. Dormire, condormifcere. Cym. heppian.
uofifq; anguftilfimarum viarum amfraaxbus includebantur, fieri p^^ g. hna:ppan. Quod poftremum videri potcll defuraptiim ex
poteft id genus l.mites *fl«diciab eo quod Ba.,»Ta. & B«»a\« ^^..^aj, obfcuritas, te.iebra; : nihil enim a-que folet conciliare
Tarentiais ol.m, ficuti tradit Hefychius, vocabantur «: Xo^i. >.fx\ fomnum, quam caliginofa profunda noai^obfcuritas.
ftn ^9i/Ti»iK JJoi, "obliquae acminimc inreaum tendcntes vi^." t> il ui r /^ .i. c-i- mx^a/to a o _
Ac fortafTe quoque hue facit quod B..J,«, eoden. Hefychio telle. Stammerer, Balbu^, Wa:fus. Goth. STAMMb, A. S. pra-
dicebant %^ re«yyv'A„ montes arduo... '"en. J^amun. D. ftam. B. ftamder. Su. ftam.na. fft. ftamr. bunt
_ . a TuiMhut vel fuu.i?^>^i"r nimia loquacitate alios oftendere ; quod
fcMPxy, emie, -vacuus, UamS. A. S. ^mti^. Ncfcio an fint jnip^aue loquentcs libentillime garriie foleant ; vel quod aliis
ab .f«« vel i^ilao,. Vomo, evomo, vomitu evacuo. Videtur intcvjm ■^■■, r,.„,n„ vi-jcantur. etiam oarciffimc loauentcs.
arc
PREFACE.
arc not genuine and regular ofFsprlngs of EngUjh roots, but becaufe their relation to the primitive being
always the fame, their fignification cannot be miftaken.
The verbal nouns in in^, fuch as the keeping of the caftle, the leading of the armyy are always neglefted,
or placed only to illuftrate the fenfe of the verb, except when they fignify things as well as adioiis, and
have therefore a plural number, as d-welling, living 5 or have an abfolute and abftrad: fignification, as colcur-
ifig, painting, leanring. ^
The participles are likewife omitted, unlefs, by fignifying rather habit or quality than adlion, they take
the nature of adjeftives j as a.- thinking man, a man of prudence j a pacing horfe, a horfe that can pace: thefe
I have ventured to call participial adjcSlives. But neither are thefe always inferted, becaufe they are com-
monly to be underftood, without any danger of miftake, by confulting the verb.
Obfolete words are admitted, when they arc found in authors not obfolcte, or when they have any force
or beauty that may defcrve revival.
As compofition is one of the chief charafterifticks of a language, I have endeavoured to make fbme
reparation for the univerfal negligence of my predeceflbrs, by inferting great numbers of compounded-
words, as may be found under after, fore, new, night, fair, and many more. Thefe, numerous as they
are, might be multiplied, but that ufe anfl curiofity are here fatisfied, and tlie frame of our language an^
modes of our combination amply difcovered. ,
Of fome forms of compofition, fuch as that by which re is prefixed to note repetition, and «« to fignify
tontrariety or privation^ all the examples cannot be accumulated, becaufe the ufe of thefe particles, if not
wholly arbitrary, is fo little limited, that they arc hourly affixed to new words as occafion requires, or is
imagined to require them.
There is another kind of compofition more Frequent in our language than perhaps in any other, from
which arifes to foreigners the ereateft: difficulty. We modify the fignification of many words by a particle
fubjoined 5 as to come off, to elcape by a fetch ; to fall on, to attack j to fall off, to apollatize ; to break
off, to ftop abruptly; to bear out, to julbfy; to fall in, to comply ; to give over, to ceafe j to Jet off, to
embellifli ; to Jet in, to begin a continual tenour j to Jet out, to begin a courfe or journey j to lake off^ td
<opy ; with innumerable expreflions of die fame kind, of which fome appear widely irregular, being fci
far diftant from the fenfe of the fimple words, that no fagacity will be able to trace the fteps by which
they arrived at the prefent ufe. Thefe I have noted with great care ; and though I cannot flatter myfelf
that the coUeftion is complete, I believe I have lb far aflifted the fiiudents of our language, that this kind
of phrafeology will be no longer infuperable ; and the combinations of verbs and particles, by chance
©mitted, will be eafily explained by comparifon with thofe that may be found.
Many words yet ftand fijpported only by the name of Bailey, Ainjworth, Philips, or the contra(5ted 'DiSt.
for Diffionaries fubjoined; of thefe I am not always certain that they are read in any book but the works
of lexicographers. Of fuch I have omitted many, becaufe I had neverread them ; and many I have in-
ferted, becaufe ' they may perhaps exifl:, though they have efcaped my notice : they are, however, to be
yet confidered as refiling only upon the credit of former diftionaries. Others, which I confidefed as ufeful,
or know to be proper, though I could not at prefent fupport them by authorities, I have fuffwed to ftand
upon my own atteftation, claiming the fame privilege with my predeceflTor*, of being fometimes credited
"without proof.
The words, thus fdefted and difpofcd, are grammatically confidered ; they are referred to the diff*erent
parts of fpcech ; traced, when they are irregularly inflefted, through their various terminations^; and il-
luftratcd by obfcrvations, not indeed of great or firiking importance, feparately confidered, but neccfifary
to the elucidation of our language, and hitherto neglefted or forgotten by Englifh grammarians.
That part of my work on which I expeft malignity mod frequently to faften, is the Explanation; in
which I cannot hope to fatisfy thofe, who arc perhaps not ini lined to be pleafed, fince I have not always
been able to fatisfy myfelf To interpret a language by itfelf is very difficult; many words cannot be
explained by fynonimes, becaufe the idea fignified by them has not more than one appellation ; nor by
paraphrafe, becaufe fimple ideas cannot be dtfcribed. When the nature of things is unknown, or the
notion unfcttlcd and indefinite, and various in various minds, the words by which fuch nodons are con-
veyed, or fuch things denoted, will be ambiguous and perplexed. And fuch is the fate of haplefs lexico-
graphy, that not only darknefs, but light, impedes and diftreflcs it ; thinjgs may be not only too little, but
Vol. I. b ' tq©
PREFACE.
too mnch kno^'tt, to br happily ilkiftrated. To explain, require^ the ufc of terms Icfs abftrufe than that
which is to be explained, and fuch terms cannot always be found ; for as nothing can be proved but the
fuppofmg fomething intuitively known, and evident without proof, fo nothing can be defined but by die
uie of words too plain to admit a definition.
Other words there are, of which the fenfe is too fubtle and cvanefcent to be fixed in a paraphrafe j fuch
are all thofc which are by the grammarians termed expUiives, and, in dead languages, are fuffered to pafs
for empty founds, of no other ufe than to fill a verfe, or to modulate a period, but whicJi are eafily per-
ceived in living tongues to have power and emphafisj though it be fometimes fuch as no other form of
exprelTion can convey.
My labour has likewifc been much increafed by a clafs of verbs too frequent in the Englijh language,
of which the lignification is fo loofe and general, tlie ufe fo vague and indeterminate, and tlie fenfes de-
tortcd fo widely from the firft idea, that it is hard to trace them through the maze of variation, to catch
them on the brink of utter inanity, to circumfcribe them by any limitations, or interpret them by any
words of diftinft and fettled meaning; fuch are bear, break, come, caft,full, get, give, do, put. Jet, go, run, make,
take, turn, throw. If of thefe the whole power is not accurately delivered, it muft be remembered,
that while our language is yet living, and variable by the caprice of every one that Ipeaks it, thefe words
arc hourly fhifting their relations, and can no more be afcertained in a diftionary, than a grove, in the agi-
tation of a ftorm, can be accurately delineated from its piflure in the water.
The particles are among all nations applied with fo great latitude, that they are not eafily reducible wmder
any regular fcheme of explication : this difficulty is not lefs, nor perhaps greater, in Englijh, than in other
languages. I have laboured them with diligence, I hope with fuccefs ; fuch at leaft as can be expeifted in
a tafk, which no man, however learned or fagacious, has yet been able to perform.
Some words there are which I cannot explain, becaufe I do not underftand them ; thefe might have
been omitted very often with little inconvenience, but I would not fo far indulge my vanity as to decline
this confcfTion : for when Tully owns himfelf ignorant whether lejjus, in the twelve tables, means a Juneral
Jong, or mourning garment ; and Arijlctle doubts whether ouf luj, in the Iliad, fignifies a mule, or mtileteery
I may furely, without fhame, leave fome obfcurities to happier indufb-y, or future information.
The rigour of interpretative lexicography requires that the explanation, and the word explained, Jhould be
»lways reciprocal j this I have always endeavoured, but could not always attain. Words are fcldom cx-
aftly fynonimous; a new term was not introduced, but becaufe the former was thought inadequate:
names, therefore, have often many ideas, but few ideas have many names. It was then necefTary to ufc
the proximate word, for the deficiency of lingle terms can very feldom be fupplied by circumlocution ;
nor is the inconvenience great of fuch mutilated interpretations, becaufe the fenfe may eafily be coUefted
entire from the examples.
In every word of extenfive ufe, it was requifite to mark the progrefs of its meaning, and fhow by what
gradations of intermediate fenfe it has pafTcd from its primitive to its remote and accidental fignification ;
{o that every foregoing explanation fhould tend to that which follows, and die ferles be regularly concate-
nated from thcfiril notion to the laft.
This is fpecious, but not always prafticable ; kindred fenfes may be fb interwoven, that the perplexity
cannot be difentangled, nor any reafon be afligned why one (houkl be ranged before the other. When the
radical idea branches out into parallel ramifications, iiow can a confecutive feries be formed of fenfes in
their nature collateral ? The thades of meaning fometimes pafs imperceptibly into each other ; fo that
tliough on one fide they apparently tlifi'er, yet it is impofTible to mark the point of contaft. Ideas of the
fame race, though not exaffly alike, are fometimes fo little different, diat no words can exprefs the difTimi-
litudc, though the mind eafily perceives it, when they are exhibited together ; and fometimes there is fuch
a confufion of acceptations, that difcernment is wearied, and diflinftion puzzled, and perfcverance herfelf
hurries to an end, by crowding together what flie cannot feparate.
Thefe complaints of difficulty will, by thofe that have never confidered words beyond their popular wie,
be thought only the jargon of a man willing to magnify his labours, and procure veneration to his ftudies
by involution and obfcurity. But every art is obfcure to thofe that have not learned it : this uncertainty of
terms, and commixture of ideas, is well known to diofe who have joined philofopliy with grammar ; and if
I have
.:p R E F A C E.
I have not exprefled them very clearly, it muft be remembered that I am fpeaking of that which words arc.
infufficient to explain.
The original fenfe of words is often driven out of ufe by theii" metaphorical acceptations, yet muft be
inferted for the fake of a regular origination. Thus I know not whether ardour is ufed for material heat,
or ■vihcxher flagrant, in Englifi, ever fignifies the fame with burning -, yet fuch are the primitive Ideas of thefc
words, which are therefore let firft, diough without examples, that the figurative fenfes may be comniOr-
dioufly deduced.
Such is the exuberance of fignification which many words have obtained, tha.t it was fcarcely poffible to
colieft all their fcnles ; fometimes the meaning of derivatives mull be fought in the mother ternri, and
fometimes deficient explanations of the primitive may be fupplied in the train of derivation. In any cafe
of doubt or difficulty, it will be always proper to examine all the words of the fame race ; for fome words
are fiightly pafied over to avoid repetition, fome admitted eafier and clearer explanation than others, and all
will be better undeiilood, as they are confidered in greater variety of ftruftures and relations.
All the interpretatipns of words are not written with the fame flcill, or the fame happinefs : things equally
eafy in themfelves, are not all equally eafy to any fingle mind. Eveiy writer of a long work cornmits
errours, where there appears neither ambiguity to miflead, nor obfcurity to confound him ; and in a fearch
like this, many felicities of expreffion will be cafually overlooked, many convenient parallels will be
forgotten, and many particulars will admit improvement from a mind utterly-unequal to the whole
performance.
But many feeming faults arc to be imputed rather to the nature of the undertaking, than the negligence
of the performer. Thus fome explanations are unavoidably reciprocal or circular, as hind, the female of
the flag; flag, the male of the hind: fometimes eafier words are changed into harder, as hurial into feptil-
ture or interment, drier into deficcative, drynefs into ftccity or aridity, fit into paroxyfm ; for the eafieft'word,
•whatever it be, can never be tranflated into one more eafy. But eafinefs and difficulty are merely relative,
and if the prefent prevalence of our language Ihould invite foreigners to this diftionary, many will be af-
fifted by thofe wordp which now feem only to increafe or produce obfcurity. For this reafon I have en-
deavoured frequently to join a Teutonick and Roman interpretation, as to cheer, to gladden, or exhilarate,
that every learner of Englijh may be affifted by his own tongue.
The folution of all difficulties, and the fupply of all defefts, muft be fought in the examples, fubjoined
to the various fenfes of each word, and ranged according to the time of their authors. r^
When I firft collefted thefe authorities, I was defirous that every quotation ftiould be ufeful to fome
other end than the illuftration of a word ; I therefore extrafted from pliilofophers principles of fcience ;
from hiftofians remarkable faifls ; from chymifts complete procefles ; from divines ftriking exhortations ;
and from poets beautiful defcriptions. Such is defign, while it is yet at a diftance from execution.
"When the time called upon me to range this accumulation of elegance and wifdom into an alphabetical
fcries, 1 foon difcovered that the bulk of ray volumes would fright away the ftudent, and was forced to
depart from my fcheme of including all that was pkafing or ufeful in Englijh literature, and reduce my
trar/crlpts very often to clufters of words, In which fcarcely any meaning is retained ; thus to tiie wearinefs
of copying, I was condemned to add the vexation of expunging. Some pafTages I have yet fpared, which
may relieve the labour of verbal fearchcs, and interfperfe with verdure and flowers the dully defarts of
barren philology.
'I*he examples, thus mutilated, are no longer to be confidered as conveying the fentiments or dodlrinc
of their authors ; the word for the fake of which they are inferted, with all its appendant claufes, has been
carefully preferved ; but it may fometimes happen, by hafty detruncation, that die general tendency of
the fcntencc may be changed : the divine may defert his tenets, or the philofopher his fyilem.
Some of the examples have been taken from writers who were never mentioned as mailers of elegance
or models offtylc; but words muft be fought where they arc ufcd ; and In wluit pages, eminent for purity,
can terms of manufadlure or agriculture be found? Many quotations fcrve no other purpofe, than that
of proving the bare exiftence of words, and are therefore feledled with Icfs fcrupuloufnefs than thofe which
are to teach their ftru<flures and relations.
My purpofe was to admit no teftimony of living authors, that I might not be mifled by partiality, and
•that none of my contemporaries might have reafon to complain ; nor have I departed from this refolutlon,
h % . but
r ft B P A C E.
but when fomc performance of uncommon excellence excited my veneration, when my memory fuppHecf
me, from late books, with an example that was wanting, or when my heart, in the tendernefs of friendfhip,
folicited adiniilion for a favourite name.
So far have I been from any care to grace my pages with modern decorations, that I have ftudioofly en-
deavoured to colle<5l examples and authorities from the writers before the reftoration, whofe works I re-
gani as the wells of Engliflj undeJUed, as the pure fources of genuine diftion. Our language, for almoft
a century, has, by the concurrence of many caufes, been gradually departing from its original 'Teutonick
xharafter, and deviating towards a Gallick ftnu5hjre and phrafeology, from which it ought to be our en-
deavour to recal it, by making our ancient volumes the ground-work of ftyle, admitting among the ad-
ditions of later times, only fuch as may fupply real deficiencies, fuch as are readily adopted by the genius
of our tongue, and incorporate eafily with our native idioms.
But as every language has a time of rudenefs antecedent to perfefbion, as well as of falfe refinement and
declenfion, I have Iseen cautious left my zeal for antiquity might drive me into times too remote, and
crowd my book with words now no longer underftood. I Iiave fixed Sidney's work for the boundary, be-
yond which I make few excurfions. From the authors which rofe in the time of Elixabetb, a fpeech might
be formed adequate to all the purpofes of ufe and elegance. If the language of theology were extraftcd
from Hooker and the tranflation of the Bible j the terms of natural knowledge from Bacon ; the phrafes of
|X)licy, war, and navigation from Raleigh -, the dialed of poetry and fidlion from Spenfer and Sidney ; and
the didion of common life from Sbakefpeafe, few ideas would be loft to mankind, for want of Englijh words,
in which they might be exprefled.
It is not fufficient that a word is found, unlefs it be fb combined as that its meaning is apparently deter-
Aiined by the tra£t and tenour of the fentence ; fuch paflages I have therefore cliofen, and when it happened
rhat any author gave a definition of a term, or fuch an explanation as is equivalent to a definition, I have
placed his authority as a fupplement to my own, without regard to the chronological order, that is other-
wife obferved. '
Some words, indeed, ftand unfupported by any authority, but they are commonly derivative nouns, or
adverbs, formed from their primitives by regular and conftant analogy, or names of things feldom occur*
ring in books, or words of which I have reafon to doubt the exiftence.
There is more danger of cenfure from the multiplicity than paucity of examples ; authorities will
fomerimes feem to have been accumulated without necelTity or ufe, and perhaps fome will be found, which
might, without lofs, have been omitted. But a work of this kind is not haftily to be charged with
fuperfluities : thofe quotations, which to carelefs or unfkilful perufers appear only to repeat the fame
fenfe, will often exhibit, to a more accurate examinep, diverfities of fignification, or, at leaft, afford different
fhades of the fame meaning; one will lliew the word applied to perfons, another to things; one will ex-
prefs an ill, another a good, and a third a neutral fenfe j one will prove the exprefTion genuine from aft
ancient author ; another will fhew it elegant from a modern : a doubtful authority is corroborated by
another of more credit ; an ambiguous fentence is afcertained by a paflage clear and determinate ; the
word, how often foever repeated, appears with new affociates and in different combinations, and every quo-
tation contributes Ibmething to the ftability or enlargement of the language.
"When words are ufcd equivocally, I receive them in either fenfe ; when they are metaphorical, I adopt
them in their primitive acceptation.
1 hare fometimes, though rarely, yielded to the temptation of exhibiting a genealogy of fentiments, by
(hewing how one author copied the thoughts and diftion of another: fuch quotations are indeed little more
than repetitions, which might juftly be cenfured, did they not gratify the mind, by affording a kind of in-
telleftual hiftory.
The various fyntadlical ftruftures occurring in the examples have been carefully noted j the licence or
negligence with which many words have been hitherto ufed, has made our ftyle capricious and indeter-
minate ; when the different combinations of the fame word are exhibited together, the preference is readily
given to propriety, and I have often endeavoured to direfb the choice.
Thus have I laboured by fetding the orthography, difplaying the analogy, regulating the ftruftures, and
afceruining the fignification of Englijb words, to perform all the parts of a faithful lexicographer : but I
have
4
PREFACE.
have not ^ways executed my own fchernc, or fatisfied my own expeftations. The work, whatever proofs
of diligence and attention it may exhibit, is yet capable of many improvements: the orthography which
I recommend is ftill controvertible, the etymology which I adopt is uncertain, and perhaps frequently er-
roneous ; the explanations are fometimes too much contrafted, and fometimes too much difFufed, the
fignifications are diftinguiflied rather with fubtilty than fkill, and the attention is harafled with unneceflary
minutenefs.
The examples are too often injudicioufly truncated, and perhaps fometimes, I hope very rarely, alleged
in a miftaken fenfe ; for in making this colledlion I trufted more to memory, than, in a flate of difquiet and
embarraffinent, memory can contain, and purpofed to fupply at the review what was left incomplete in the
firft tranfcription.
'. Many terms appropriated to particular occupations, though neceffary and figniFxant, are undoubtedly
omitted ; and of the words moft ftudioufly confidered and exemplified, many fenfes have efcaped ob-
fervation.
Yet thefe failures, however frequent, may admit extenuation and apology. To have attempted
much is always laudable, even when the enterprize is above tiie ftrength that undertakes it : To reft
below his own aim is incident to every one whofe fancy is aftive, and whofe views are comprehenfive ;
nor is any man fatisfied with himfelf becaufe he has done much, but becaufe he can conceive httle-
When firft I engaged in this work, I refolved to leave neither words nor things unexamined, and pleafed
myfelf with a profpeft of the hours wiiich I ftiould revel away in feafts of literature, the obfcure
recefles of northern learning which I Ihould enter and ranfack, the treafures with which I expefted
every fearch into thofe neglected mines to reward my labour, and the triumph with which I ftiould dis-
play my acquifitions to mankind. When I had thus enquired into the original of words, I refolved to
Jhow likewife my attention to things ; to pierce deep into every fcience, to enquire the nature of every
fubftance of which I inferted the name, to limit every idea by a definition ftridly logical, and exhibit every
produftion of art or nature in an accurate defcription, that my book might be in place of all other di£tio-»
naries whether appellative or technical. But thefe were the dreams of a poet doomed at laft to wake a,
lexicographer. I foon found that it is too late to look for inftruments, when the work calls for execution,
and that whatever abilities I had brought to my tafk, with thofe I muft finally perform it. To deliberate
whenever I doubted, to enquire whenever I was ignorant, would have protracted the undertaking without
end, and, perhaps, without much improvement j for I did not find by my firft experiments, that what I
had not of my own was eafily to be obtained : I faw that one enquiry only gave occafion to another, that
book referred to book, that to fearch was not always to find, and to find was not always to be informed ;
and that thus to purfue perfection, was, like the firft inhabitants of Arcadia, to chafe the fun, which,
when they had reached the hill where he fcemed to reft, was ftill beheld at the fame diftance from them.
I then contraded my defign, determining to confide in myfelf, and no longer to folicit auxiliaries, which
produced more incumbrance than afTiftance : by this I obtained at leaft one advantage, diat I fet limits to
my work, which would in time be ended, though not completed.
Defpondency has never fo far prevailed as to deprefs me to negligence ; fome faults will at laft appear
to be the effeds of anxious diligence and perfevering aftivity. The nice and fubtle ramifications of
meanihg were not eafily avoided by a mind intent upon accuracy, and convinced of the necefllty of dif- ■
entangling combinations, and fcparating fimilitudes. Many of the diftinftions, which to common readers
appear ufelefs and idle, will be found real and important by men verfed in the fchool philofophy, without
which no dictionary can ever be accurately compiled, or fkilfully examined.
Some fenfes however there are, which, though not the fame, are yet fo nearly allied, that they are
often confounded. Moft men think indiftinftly, and therefore cannot fpeak-with exaftnefs ; and con-
fequently fome examples might be indifi^erently put to either fignification : this uncertainty is not to be
imputed to me, who do not form, but regifter the language ; who do not teach men how they fliould
think, but relate how they have hitherto exprelTcd their thoughts.
The imperfeft fenfe of fome examples I lamented, but could not remedy, and hope they will be com-
penfated by innumerable paffagfs fele£t':d with propriety, and preferred with exaftnefs -, fome Ihining
with fparks of imagination, and fome replete with treafures of wifdom.
The orthography and etymology, though imperfed, are not imperfect for want of care, but becaufe
care will oot always be fucccfsful, and recolk^iwn of iftformation coine too late for ufe.
Thai
P R E 1*' A. C E.
That many terms of art and manufafture are omitted, muft be frankly acknowledged ; bat for this
dcfcil I may boldly allege that it was unavoidable: I could not vifit caverns to learn the miner's
language, nor take a voyage to perfcdl my (kill in the dialed of navigation, nor vifit the warehoufes
of merchants, and fhops of artificers, to gain the names of wares, tools and operations, of which no
mention is found in books ; what favourable accident, or eafy enquiry brought within my reach, has
not been neglcdled ; but it had been a hopclefs labour to glean up words, by courting living informa-
tion, and contcfting with die fuUennefii of one, and the roughnefs of another.
To furnifli the academicians della Crujca with words of this kind, a feries of comedies called U
Tiera, or the Fair, was j^rofcflcdly written by Buonaroti; but I had no fuch afliftant, and therefore
was content to want wiiat they muft have wanted likewife, had they not luckily been fo fupplied.
Nor are all words which are not found in the vocabular)-, to be lamented as omiflions. Of the
laborious and mercantile part of* the people, the diflion is in a great meafure cafual and mutable ; many
of their terms are formed for fome temporary or local convenience, and though current at certain times
and places, are in others utterly unknown. This fugitive cant, which is always in a ftate of increafe cw
decay, cannot be regarded as any part of the durable materials of a language, and therefore muft be
differed to pcrifh with other things unworthy of prefervation.
Care -will fometimes betray to the appearance of negligence. He that is catching opportunities wliich
feldom occur, will fufFer thofe to pafe by unregarded, which he expefts hourly to return ; he that is fearch-
ing for rare and remote things, will negleft thofe that are obvious and familiar : thus many of the moft
common and curfory words have been inferted with little illuftration, becaufe in gathering the authorities,
I forbore to copy thofe which i thought likely to occur whenever they were wanted. It is remark-
able that, in reviewing my colleftion, I found the word Sea unexemplified.
Thus it happens, that in things difficult there is danger from ignorance, and in things eafy from
confidence ; the mind, afraid q{ greatnefs, and difdainful of littlenefs, haftily withdraws herfelf from
painful fearches, and pafles with fcornful rapidity over tafks not adequate to her powers, fometimes too
fecure for caution, and again too anxious for vigorous effort ; fometimes idle in a plain path, and fome-
times diftraftcd in labyrinths, and diflipated by different intentions.
A large work is difficult becaufe it is large, even though all its parts might fingly be performed with
facility ; where there are many things to be done, each muft be allowed its (hare of time and labour,
in the proportion only which it bears to the whole ; nor can it be expecfted, that the ftones which form
the dome of a temple, (hould be fquared and polilbed like the diamond of a ring.
Of the event of this work, for which, having laboured it with fo much application, I cannot but
have fome degree of parental fondnefs, it is natural to form conjedtures. Thofe who have been per-
fuaded to think well of my dcfign, will require that it (liould fix our language, and put a ftop to
thofe alterations which time and chance have hitherto been fuffered to make in it without oppofition.
"With this confequence I will confefs that I flattered myfelf for a while ; but now begin to fear that I
have indulged expectation which neither reafon nor experience can juftify. When we fee men grow old
»nd die at a certain time one after another, from century to ccn'^ury, we laugh at the elixir that promifcs
to prolong life to a thoufand years ; and with equal jultice may the lexicographer be derided, who
being alile to produce no example of a nation that has preferved their words and phrafcs from mutability,
ihall imagine tlut his didionary can embalm his language, and fecure it from corruption and decay,
that it is m his power to change fublunary nature, and clear the world at once from folly, vanity, and
^ffeftation^
With this hope, however, academies have been inftituted, to guard the avenues of dieir languages,
to retau» fugitives, and repulfe intruders -, but their vigilance and aftivity have iiitherto been vain ;
founds are too volatile and fubtile for legal reftraints ; to enchain fyllables, and to lafh the wind, are
equally the undertakings of pride, unwilling to meafure its'defires by its ftrc'ngch. The French language
Jias vifibly changed under the infpedion of the academy; the ftyle of Jmelot's tranfiation of father Paul
is obfcrved by Le Courayer to be un peu pajfe ; and no Italian will maintain, that the didion of any
modem writer is not perceptibly different from that of Boccacty Machiavel, or Caro.
Total and fudden transformations of a language feldom happen ; conqucfts and migrations are now
very /are .: but there arc other caufcs of change, which, tliough flow in their operation, and invifi-ble in
riieir
PRE FACE.
their progrefs, are perhaps as much Tuperiour to human refiftance, as the revolutions of the fky, or
intumefcence of the tide. Commerce, however neceflaiy, however lucrative, as it depraves the manners,
corrupts the language j they that have frequent intercourfe with ftrangers, to whom they endeavour to
accommodate themfelves, muft in time learn a mingled dialedt, like the jargon which ferves the traffickers
on the Mediterranean and Indian coafts. This will not always be confined to the exchange, the warehoufe,
or tlie port, but wi'l be communicated by degrees to other ranks of the people, and be at laft incorporated
with the current fpeech.
There are likewife internal caufes equally forcible. The language mod likely to continue long
without alteration, would be that of a nation raifed a little, and but a little, above barbarity, fecluded
from ftrangers, and totally employed in procuring the conveniencies of life ; either without books, or,
fike fome of 'the Mahometan countries, with very few : men thus bufied and unlearned, havuig only fucl>
words as common ufe requires, would perhaps long continue to exprefs the fame notions by the fame
figns. But no fuch conftancy can be expefted in a people polifhed by arts, and clafled by fubordination,
where one part of the community is fuftained and accommodated by the labour of the other. Thofe
who have much leifure to think, will always be enlarging the ftock of ideas; and every increafe of
knowledge, whether real or fancied, will produce new words, or combinations of words. When the
mind is unchained from neceflity, it will range after convenience ; when it is left at large in the fields
of fpeculation, it will fhifc opinions ; as any cuftom is difufed, the words that exprefled it muft perifti witli
it i as any opinion grows popular, it will innovate fpeech in the fame proportion as it altera praftice.
As by the cultivation of various fciences a language is amplified, it will be more furnifhed with*
words deflefted from their original fenfe ; the geometrician will talk of a courtier's zenith, or the
eccentrick virtue of a wild hero, and the phyfician of fanguine expedtations and phlegmatick delays.
Copioufnefs of fpeech will give opportunities to capricious choice, by which fome words will be pre-
ferred, and others degraded; vicifTitudes of fafhion will enforce the ufe of new, or extend the figrviftcatioa
of known terms. The tropes of poetry will make hourly encroachments, and the metaphorical will
become the current fenfe: pronunciation will be varied by levity or ignorance, and the pen muft
at length comply with the tongue ; illiterate writers will, at one time or other, by publick infatuation,
rife into renown, who, not knowing the original import of words, will ufe them with colloquial Ficen-
tioufnefs, confound diftinftion, and forget propriety. As politenefs increafes, fome cxpreffions will be-
confidcred as too grofs and vulgar for the delicate, others as too formal and ceremonious for the gav
and airy; new phrafes are therefore adopted, which muft, for the fame rcafons, be in time difmifleJ.
Swift, in his petty treatife on the Eng/ijh language, allows that new words muft fometimes be intro-
duced, but propofes that none fhould be fufFered to become obfolete. But what makes a word obfolete,
more than general agreement to forbear it ? and how ftiall it be continued, when it conveys an ofFenfivcr
idea, or recalled again into the mouths of mankind, when it has once become unfamiliar by difufe, and
unpleafing by unfamiliarity ?
There is another caufe of alteration more prevalent than any other, which yet ia the prelent ftate of the
world cannot be obviated. A mixture of two languages will produce a third diftinft from both, and
they will always be mixed, where the chief part of education, and the moft confpicuous accompliftiment,
is (kill in ancient or in foreign tongues. He that has long cultivated another language, will find its
words and combinations crowd upon his memory ; and hafte and negligence, refinement and affediation;,
will obtrude borrowed terms and exotick expre/Tions.
The great peft of fpeech is frequency of tranflation. No book was ever turned from one lanrgaage into-
another, without imparting fomething of its native idiom > this is the moft mifchievous and comprehen-
five innovation ; fingle words may enter by thoufands, and the fabrick of the tongue continue the fame ;
but new phrafeology changes much at once ; it alters, not the fingle ftones of the building, but the order
of the columns, if an academy fhould be eftablifhed for the cultivation of our ftyle, which I, who care
never wifh to fee dependance multiplied, hope the fpirit of Engiijb liberty will hinder or deftnoy, let them,
inftead of compiling grammars and didlionaries, endeavour, with all their influence, to flop the licence of
tranflators, whofe idlenefs and ignorance, if it be fuffered to proceed, will reduce us ta babble a diaJeit
of France.
If the changes that we fear be thus irrefiftible, what remains bat to acquiefce with filence, as in the other
infurmountable diftrefTes of humanity ? It remains that we retard what we cannot repel, that we palliate
what we cannot cure. Life may be lengthened by care, though death cannot be ultimately defeated?
. . 5 t<>ngues*
PREFACE.
tongues, like governments, have a natural tendency to degeneration i wc have long prefcrved our confti-
tution, let us make feme ftruggles for our language.
In hope of giving longevity to that which its own nature forbids to be immortal, I have devoted this
book, the labour of years, to the honour of my country, that we may po longer yield the palm of philology,
without a conteft, to the nations of the continent. The chief glory of every people arifes from its au-
thors : whether I fhall add any thin^ by my own writings to the reputation of Englijh literature, muft be •
left to time : much of my life has been loft under the preflures of difeafe ; much has been trifled away ;
and much has always been fpent in provifion for the day that was paffing over me ; but I fliall not think ,
my employment ufelefs or ignoble, if by my afliftance foreign nations, and diftant ages, gain accefs to
the propagators of knowledge, and underftand the teachers of truth j if my labours afford light to die
repofitorics of fcience, and add celebrity to Bacon, to Hooker, to Milion, and to Btyle.
When I am animated by this wi(h, I look with pleafure on my book, however defeftive, and deliver
it to the world with the fpirit of a man that has endeavoured welL That it will immediately become
popular I have not promifed to myfelf : a few wild blunders, and rifible abfurdities, from which no work
of fuch multiplicity was ever free, may for a time furnifh folly with laughter, and harden igrwrance in
contempt ; but ufeful diligence will at laft prevail, and there never can be wanting fome who diftinguilh
defert; who will confider that no didtionary of a living tongue ever can be perfecl, fince while it is haftcn-
ing to publication, fome words are budding, and fome falling away ; that a whole life cannot be fpent upon
fyntax and etymology, and that even a whole life would not be fufficient j that he, whofe dcfign includes
•whatever language can exprefs, muft often fpeak of what he does not underftand ; that a writer will
fometimes be hurried by eagcrnefs to the end, and foraetimes faint with wcarinefs under a talk, which
Scaliger compares to the labours of the anvil and the mine ; that what is obvious is not always known,
and what is known is not always prefent ; tliat fudden fits of inadvertency will furprize vigilance, fligJTt
avocations will feduce attention, and cafual eclipfes of the mind will darken learning ; and that the writer
lliall often in vain trace his memory at the moment of need, for that which yefterday he knew with intui-
tive rcadinefs, and which will come uncalled into his thoughts to-morrow.
In this work, when it fliall be found that much is omitted, let it not be forgotten that much likewifc
IS performed ; and though no book was ever fpared out of tendcrnefs to the author, and the world is
little folicitous to know whence proceeded the faults of that which it condemns ; yet it may gratify curio-
fity to inform it, that the Englijh DiHionary was written with little affiftance of the learned, and without
any patronage of the great ; not in the foft obfcuriries of retirement, or under the flicker of academick
bowers, but amidft inconvenience and diftraftion, in ficknefs and in forro\y. It may reprefs the triumph
of malignant criticifm to obferve, that if our language is not here fully difplayed, I have only failed in an
attempt which no human powers have hitherto completed. If the lexicons of ancient tongues, now im-
mutably fixed, axid comprized in a few volumes, be yet, after the toil of fucceffive ages, inadequate and
delufive ; if the aggregated knowledge, and co-operating diligence of the Italian academicians, did not
fecure them from the cenfu.'-e of Beni ^ if the embodied criticks of France-, when fifty years had been
fpent upon their work, were obliged to change its ceconomy, and give their fecond edition another form,
I may furcly be contented without the pr?tifc of perfection, which, if I could obtain, in this gloom of fo-
litude, what would it avail me? I have jirotrafted my work till moft of thofe whom I wiScd to pleafc
have funk into the grave, and fuccefs and mifcarriage are empty founds ; I therdbre Jifmifs it with frigid
tranquillity, having little to fear or hope fcom cenfure or from praifc.
THE
/
THE
HISTORY
OF THE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
THOUGH ihe Britains or Weljh were the
firft pofleflbrs of this ifland, whofe names
are recorded, and are therefore in civil hif-
tory always confidered as the predeceflbrs of the
prelent inhabitants; yet the dedu6lion of the Eng-
lijh language, from the earlieft times of which we
have any knowledge to its prefent Hate, requires
no mention of them: for we have fo few words
which can, with any probability, be referred to Bri-
tijh roots, that we juftly regard the Saxom and fVe'Jh
as nations totally diftindl. It has been conjedlured,
that when the Saxons feized this country, they fuf-
fered the Britains to live among them in a ftate of
vaflalage, employed in the culture of the ground,
and other laborious and ignoble fervices. But it is
fcarctly poffible, that a nation, however depreflcd,
fhould have been mixed with another in confidcr-
able numbers without fome communication of their
tongue, and therefore, it may, with great reafon, be
imagined, that thofe, who were not fheltered in the
mountains, pcriihed by the fword.
The whole fabrick and fcheme of the Englifl}
language is Golhick or Teutonick : it is a dialeft of
that tongue, which prevails over all the northern
countries of Europe^ except thofe where the Scla-
vonian is fpokcn. Of thefe languages Dr. Hickes
has thus exhibited the genealogy.
G O T H I C K,
Anglo-Saxon, Francick,
Dutch German.
Frifick,
tnglifh,
Vol. I.
CiMBRICK,
' " »
Idandick,
Norwegian,
Swedifli,
Danifli.
Of the Cothick, the only monument remaining
is a copy of the gofpels fomewhat mutilated, which,
from the filver with which the charaders are adorn-
ed, is called the^Iver bock. It is now preferved at
Upfal, and having been twice publiihed before, has
been lately reprinted at Oxford, under the infpec-
tion of Mr. Lye, the editor of Junius. Whether
the didtion of this venerable manufcript be purely
Gothick, has been doubted j it feems however to
exhibit the moft ancient dialed now to be found of
the Teutonick race ; and the Saxon, which is the
original of the prefent Englijh, was either derived
from it, or both have defcended from fome com-
mon parent.
What was the form of the Saxon language, when,
about the year 450, they firft entered Britain, can-
not now be known. They feem to have been a
people without learning, and very probably with-
out an alphabet ; their fpeech, therefore, having
been always curfory and extemporaneous, muft
have been artlefs and unconnefted, without any
modes of tranfition or involution of claufes; which
abruptnefs and inconnedion may be obferved even
in their later writings. This barbarity may be
fuppofed to have continued during their wars with
the Britains, which for a time left them no leifurc
for fofter ftudics; nor is there any reafon for fup-
pofing it abated, till the year 570, whei) Augujline
came from Rome to convert them to Chriftianity.
The Chriftian religion always implies or produces
a certain degree of civility and learning; they
then became by degrees acquainted with the Ro-
man language, and ib gained, from time to time,
fome knowledge and elegance, till in three centu-
ries they had formed a language capable of ex-
prefling all the fentimcnts of a civilifcd people, as
c appears
THE HISTORY OF THE
appears by k'ng Alfreds paraphrafe or imitation of CAP. II.
Bcethius, and his Ihort preface, which I have fe- ^^ ^^^^ , ^ ,^. ^^^^ lurr'jcnlice ronr.
Icdtcd as the firft fpecimcn of ancient EngUJb. ^^ ^^^^^ ^^ heopienoe j-in^in. ■] mit) j-pi ur^cpa-
t)um pojitJum jcferran. |)cah ic jeo npilum je-
C A P. I. coplice puntie, ac ic nu pepenfce ^ 5ij-cierit?e op
>cx L ' T;cnat»rii pont>a mirpo. me ablentsan bar unxer-
/-\N «a;pe ribe fe Doran op 8iSSiu mrrj^e j^^.^ j^j ,j,^_ ^ ^^ 1,^ ponleran^-pa
^-^ pi)7 Komana jiice jepin upahoron. •] mi]? hi,„^ne on |7i)^ Dinime hoi. Bx bepeapoCon
heopa cynin^um. Rxbjora ant) eallepica pxjioii j^i^ene luprba-nnerre pa Sa ic hun a-pne berrr
harne. Romane bupij abparcon. anb eall Iralia ^p^pp^e. Ba pentjon hi me heopa bxc ro anD me
jiice jJ ip berpux )7am munrum •] Sici'ia ^am ^^,^ ^^„^^ p^omjepiran. To phon pceolmi la
ealonT5e m anpaib jepehron. -^ fa je^rep Jam j^,^^^ pnient) reTTan bsr ic Terjch-r men pa:ne.
popepppecenan cyninjum Deot)pic peiij ro f am ,,^ ,^^ 5,^^,^ xepiEhr re Se on 6am Teralbum
ilcan pice, j-e Deobpic pa.-p Amulmja. he pasp ^uphpuman ne mor:-
Epipren. feah he on f am Appianipcan jetjpolan . *
Suphpunot>e. pe ^eher Romanum hir ppeont>- CAP. HI.
rcine. ppa •* hi morran heopi ealt)pihra pypbe , ^ , , \cr^
beon. Ac he ba xehar ppiSe ypele selspre. DA ic fa Sip leoj?. cpa^SBoerIlIp.3eomplent)e■
^ ppiSe ppabe Teenl>ot)e mib mancTum mane, apun^en hreptse. «a com ?iajp jan in ro me heo-
•« pir ro eacan ofpum unapimet)um yplum. f he F^^cunt) pipt)om. •] -p min miipnentse COot) mit>
lohannep bone papan her opplean. Da y.vy pum hippopbum jejperre. T flip cpasf . ^u ne eapr
conpul. -p pe heperoha haraf . Boeriup y^y f " f^ »""" )'* "" "i'"r& F^le pa?pe apet) •] ^e-
haren. re yxr in boccpreprum -j on popult) lappet). Ac hponon pupt)efu mm fippum popult>
bcapumpepihrpirepra. 8e Sa onrear f a manij- FPS""! f^r TP'l'e jeppencet). buron ic par f
pealmn ypel fe re cynin3 Deojpic pif f am f u hteppr Sapa pxpna ro hpaf e pop^iren 6e ic
fcpiprenantjome ^ pif fam Romanipcum piriim fe aep pealne. Da clipot)e pe pipt)om •] cpsf.
tjyoe. he b a •remunt5e «apa ef neppa -j f apa e.il- Depiraf nu apipjet^e popult) popja op minep
DpihraSehiunr)epSamEarepumhaspt>onheopa f^S^nep C0ot5e. popfam Te pinb fa maspraa
ealT>hlapopt5Lim. Da onran he pmeajan -] leopni- pceafan. Ljeraf hme epr hpeoppan ro mmiim
ran on him j-elpum hu he j5pice 'Sam unpihrpipan iapum. Da eot)e pe pij-tjom neap, cpref Boeriup.
cy-niHTe apeppan mihre. •] on pyhr ^eleappul- minum hpeoppienTJan jefohre. •] hir ppa mopolil
pa anb on pihrpippa anpaib jebpmjan. 8ent5e ^ip^'^ hpeja upapst)e. at)pi3be fa minenep
fa biTelhce spenbreppiru ro fam Eapepe ro COot)ep eajan. ant) hir ppan bhf urn popuim.
tonpranrinopohm. fsp ip Upeca heah bupj ^ hpsfep hir oncneope hip poprepmotjop. mit>
heopa cyneprol. pop fam pe Daj-epe psep heopa ^am fe Sa f COob pif bepent>e. 6a ^ecneop hir
ealbhlapopt) cynnep. ba^bon hine f.-er he him ro rP'?^ ppeorele hip ajne mot)op. -p pasp pe pip-
heopa Epiprent)ome ■] ro heopa ealopihrum je- ^^m fe •'r^ ^anje asp rybe ■] la^poe. ac hir on-
pulrumebe. Da -f onrear pe paslhpeopa cyninj ^ear hip lape ppife roropenne •] ppif e robpo-
Deobpic. «a hjer he hine jebpinjanon capcepne cenne mit) tjypijpa honbum. ■] hine fa ppan hu
■] frp mne belucan. Da lur 6a jelomp -p je f jepupbe. Da ant)ppypt)e pe pipbom him 7
appypSa psep on ppa m'celpe neapaneppe be- pa:be. •^ hip jmjpan htepbon hine ppa roropenne.
com. fa yxr he ppa micle ppi6op on hip COot)e P^P- fa^J^ hi reohhot)on f hi hine eallne habban
rebpepeb. ppa hip CDo» xp. ppi6on ro f im pceotoon. ac hi 3e3at5epu6 monipealb toypij on
popult) pa f um unjepot) pa:p. -] he 6a nanpe ]p^'?^ poprp'upunja. -j on fam jilpe buran heopa
ppoppe be innan fam capcepne ne jemunbe. ac hpelc epr ro hype bore jecippe:-
he jepeoll nipol op t>une on fa plop. •] hine -phis' may perhaps be confidered as a fpecimen
aprpehre ppife unpor. anb opmob hine pelpne of the Saxcn in its higheft ftatc of purity, for here
pon^an pepan ^ fup pingenbe cpef , are fcarcciy any words borrowed from the Roman
dialeds.
Of
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
Of the follov/ing verfion of the gofpels the age
is not certainly known, but it was probably writ-
ten between the time of /IlfreJ and that of the Nor-
man conqueft, and therefore may properly be in-
ferted here.
Tranflations fcldom afford juft fpecimehs of a
language, and ieaft of all thofe in which a fcrupu-
lous and verbal interpretation is endeavoured, be-
caufe they retain the phrafeology and ftrufture of
L UC^, Cap. I.
TJ^ ORD^QD pe: pirot)lice maneji Jjohron jjapa
jiiinja jiace 5e-ent)eby_pt>an pe: on uy ^epyl-
]et)e f ynt:.
' 2 Spa uy bershrun pz Se hir oj? pfiymSe
Tcppon. aiib jjtjie j'pjiarce j^enaj- prejion.
3 OOe j;e]7uhre [o_p-pylijt)e pjiom pjauma]
jeojiniice eallum. [miS] enoebyptinej'j'e pjiiran
fee. pu 'Se j'eluj'ra Theophilup
4 D.er ]ju oncnape f»apa popt)a yo'SfXfTn&jje.
op ):'am 'Se j?u jel^ejiet) eapr:-
5 On ^ejiooep Oajum lutJea cynmcjej-. pjep
piim pacejit) on naman Zachajiiap op Sbian rune.
3 hip pip psep op Sajionep Oohrjium. ant) hype
nama pa?p Glizaberh:-
6 SoSiice hij pasjxon buru pihtrpipe bepojaan
Ifu'De. j.injentie on eallum hip bebot>um ■] jiihr-
pipneppuni buran pjiohre:-
7 Ant5 hij nEejOon nan beapn. pojifjam ^e
eiizaberh p{ep unbej\ent)e. •] hy on hyjia Oagum
buru jojiSeotJun:-
8 SoSlice p3ep jepojiben pa. Zachapiap hyp pa-
cept);iatiep bpeacon hip jeppixlepentiebyjiDneppe
bepopan Eot)e.
9 iEprep jeponan ptey paceptihaioep hlorep.
he eot)e f he hip opppunje perre, Sa he on
Cot5ep rempel eobe.
ID Gall pepot) pxy polcep pasp ure 3ebit)t)ent)e
on Jjjepeopppunjenman:-
1 1 Da asryptie him Dpihrnep enjel prant)ent>e
on pxy peopobep ppiSpan healpe.
12 Di peapt) Zachapiap jetspepet) f S^f^'
ont5e. ~] him ere onhpeap:-
1 3 Da cpa;S pe enjel him ro. Ne onttpret) pu
Se Zachapiap. popj;am Jjin ben ip jehypet). ■]
j;in pip eiizaberh pe: punu cen^. ant) ]ju nempr
hyp naman lohannep.
14 ■] he byS pc ro jepean ■] ro blippe. •]
maneja on hyp acennebneppe jepajniaS:-
15 SuSIice he byS m.tpe bepopan Dpihrne.
anb he ne topincSpin ne beop. •] lie biS -s^epyllet)
on halijum Dapre. );onne jyr op hip motiop in-
r.oSe.
1 6 Snb maneja Ippahela beapna he jecypS ro
Dpihrne iiypa Dobc.
6 17 Snb
the original tongue; yet they have often this con-
venience, that the fame book, being tranflated in
different ages, affords opportunity of marking the
gradations of change, and bringing one age into
comparifon with another. For this purpofe I have
placed the Saxon verfion and that of Wickliffe, writ-
ten about the year 1380, in oppofite columns, be-
caufe the convenience of eafy collation feems greater
than that of regular chronology.
LUK, Chap. L
"IN the dayes of Eroude kyng of Judee ther was a
■*■ preft Zacarye by name : of the fort of Abia, and
his wyf was of the doughtris of Aaron : and hir
name was Elizabeth.
2 An bothe weren jufte bifore God : goynge in
alle the maundementis and juftifyingis of the Lord
withouten playnt.
3 And thei hadden no child, for Elizabeth was
bareyn and bothe weren of greet age in her dayes.
4 And it bifel that whanne Zacarye fchould do
the office of prcfthod in the ordir of his courfe to
fore God.
5 Aftir the cuftom of the prefthod, he wente
forth by lot and entride into the temple to encenfen.
6 And at the multitude of the puple was with-
out forth and preyede in the our of encenfying.
7 And an aungel of the Lord appcride to him:
and flood on the right half of the auter of en-
cenfe.
8 And Zacarye feynge was afrayed : and dredc
fcl upon him.
9 And the aungel fayde to him, Zacarye drede
thou not: for thy preier is herd, and Elizabeth
thi wif fchal here to thee a fone: and his name fchal
be clepid Jon.
10 And joye and gladyng fchal be to thee: and
manye fchulen have joye in his natyvyte.
1 1 For he fchal be great bifore the Lord : and
he fchal not drinke wyn ne fydyr, and he fchal be
fulfild with the holy goft yit of his modir wombe.
12 And he fchal converte manye of the children
of Ifrael to her Lord God.
13 And
THE HISTORY OF THE
58 -] hype nehchebupaj- •} hyjie cu^an f je-
hyptxjn. -p Dpihren hij^ nult>-heoprne)-)-e nut)
hype m.TppJt)e -j hij mit) hype blij-)roDon:-
59 Di <'n bam ehreo^an tjsje 1115 comon j)
ciIt> yir.bj-nifean. ant) ncmt>on hir.e hij- jrrcCep
naman Zachapiam:-
60 Da ant5ppapot>e hi)' mot)op. Ne y& yo'Sty.
ac he bib lohanner jenemnet):-
61 Da cpstx)n.hi ro hype. Nijr nan on j:inpe
ma j^e |-yppum naman jenemnet):-
6a Da bicnobon hi ro hif pttiep. hysfc he
poIt>e hyne jenemneDne beon:-
63 pa ppar he5ebet)enum pex-bpebe. lohan-
nejr hiy nama. 6a punOpoCon hij ealle:-
64 Da peapS fona hiif muS ■] hij" runje je-
openoo. •] he ]-ppasc. Dpihren blerpjenoe:-
65 Di. peap'^ eje 5epopt)en opep ealle hypa
nehchebupaj". ant) opep ealle Iut>ea munr-lant>
p.Epon y^Y poptJ 5epib;ii£eppot)e.
66 ■] ealle pa be hir jehyptx>n. on hypa heop-
ran j-errun ■] cprebon. penp: Su hpsr byS jjejf
cnapa. pirot)lice Dpihrnej" hant) pasp mit) him:-
67 Ant) Zachapiap hiy )::ast)ep pasp mit> hale-
jum tjapre jepyllet). •] be pirejotJe anb cyse.'S.
68 Deb!erj-ut) py Dpihren Ippahela Got), pop-
])jm ]:ehe jeneopuCe. "3 hip polcep alypetjneppe
tjytje.
6g Snt) he up hcele hopn apxpbe on Dauit»ep
hope hip cnihrep,
70 Spa he pppsEC ])uph hip halejpa pirejena
muS. |Ja Se op poplt)ep ppym Se ppprecon.
71 •] he alypCe up op iipum peont)um. anb op
ealpa Jjapa hant)a ^e up harebon,
yi COilt)-heoprneppe ro pypcenne mit) upum
paetjepum. ■] Temunan hip halejan cy'Sneppe.
73 ^yne uy ro pyllenne jjone aS jje he upum
pa;t)ep Sbpahame fpop.
74 D.Er pe buraii eje. op upe peonDa hant)a
alypebe. him )?eopian
75 On halijneppe bepopan him eallum upum
toajum:- •
76 SnT) pu cnapa bipt: J)acp hehpran pireja
jenemneb. J?u jaepr bepopan Dpihrnep anpyne.
77 '1 o pyllene hip poke haele jepic on hypa '
pynna popTypneppe.
78 Duph inno^ap upep Eot)ep milt)-heopr-
neppe. on Jjam he up jeneoputje op eaprbasle
up-pypinjenoe.
79 Onlyhran J>am p& on )yprpiim "} on tieaSep
pceabe pirraS. upe per ro jepeccenne on pibbe
80 Soolice pe cnapa peox. •;] pasp on japre
jeprpanjot). -] p«p on peprenum 00 jjone X)x-^
hyp ierypeOneppum on Ippahel:-
6
54 And the neyghbouris and cofyns of hir
herdcn that the Lord hadde magnyfied his mercy
with hir, and ihci thankiden him.
55 And it was doon in the eightithe day tl>ei
camen to circunifide the child, .nrd thei clepiden
him Zacarye by the name of his fad:r.
56 And his modir anfweridc and fcide, nay,
but he fchal be clepid Jon.
57 And thci fciden to hir, for no man is in tht
kyndrede that is dtpid this name.
58 And thei bikcnydcn to his fadir, what he
wolde that he were clepid.
59 And heaxinge a poyntel wroot feyinge, Jon
is his name, and allc men wondridcn.
60 And annoon his mouth was openyd and his
tunge, and he fpak and blcffide God.
61 And drede was maad on all hir neighbouris,
and all the wordis wercn puplifchid on aile the
mounteynes of Judee.
62 And alle men that hcrden puttiden in her
herte, and feiden what manner child fchal this be,
for the bond of the Lord was with him.
63 And Zacarye his fadir was fulfiUid with the
holy Goft, and profcciede and feide.
64 Bleffid be the Lord God of Ifrael, for he has
vifitid and maad redempcioun of his puple.
6g And he has rered to us an horn of helthe in
the hous of Dauith his child.
66 As he fpak by the mouth of hife holy pro*
phetis that weren fro the world.
67 Helth fro oure enemyes, and fro the hond of
alle men that hatiden us.
68 To do merfy with oure fadris, and to have
mynde of his holy teftament.
69 The grete ooth that he fwoor to Abraham our
fadir,
70 To geve himfelf to us, that we without
drede delyvered fro the hond of our enemyes ferve
to him,
71 In holynefTe and rightwifncfle before him,
in alle our dayes.
72 And thou child fchalt be clepid the profete of
the highede, for thou fchalt go before the face of
the Lord to make redy hife weycs.
73 To geve fcicncc of heelth to his puple into
remiffioun of her fynncs.
74 By the inwardenefs of the merfy of oure God,
in the which he fpringyng up fro on high hath
vifued us.
75 To g^v^ ^'ght to them that fitten in dark-
reffis, and in fchadowe of dceth, to drefTe our feet
into the weye of pecsj
76 And the child wexide, and was confortid in
fpiryt, and was in dcfert placis till to the day of his •
fthcwing to Yfrael.
Of
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
Of the Siixoft poetry fome fpecimen is neceflary,
though our ignorance of the laws of their metre and
the quantities of their fyllables, which it would be
very dillicult, perhaps impoflible, to recover^ ex-
cludes us from that pleakire which the old bards
undoubtedly gave to their contemporaries.
■I The firfl: poetry of the Saxons was without rhyme,
anJ confcqoently muil have depended upon the
quantity of their fyllables ; but they began in time
to imitate their neighbours, and clofe their verfes
with correfpondent founds.
The two paflages, whicli I have felcfted, contain
apparently the rudiments of our prefent lyrick mea-
fures, and the writers may be juftly confidered as
the genuine anceftors of the Englijh poets.
^e mai him fojte at)jiet)en,
Da^r he Sanne ojre bitit)e ne mujen^
Uoji -^ bihmpeS dome.
^s; If pi]" f bir ant> bore
Ant) ber biuojien bome.
DeaS com on Sij- mitielajit)
DujaS 'Sxy Oeplej" ont>e,
"RnXi j*enne ant» foj^e ant) ij'pinc.
On J"e ant) on lont)e.
Ic am eltiep. Sanne ic pe|",
A pinrjie ■] ec a lope.
Ic ealtii mope Sanne ic t)et)e,
ODi pir ojlire ro bi mope.
8e ■^ hine )-elue uopjer,
Uop piue oj:ep uop chilt»e.
J)e ]-al comen on euele jretie*
Bure jot) him bi milt)e.
Ne hopie pip ro hipe Yt\ity
Ne pepe ro hip piue.
Bi pop him pelue eupich man,
Daep pile he bieS aliue.
' Gupich man mit) j5 he haueS,
ClDai bejjen heuepiche.
Se Se leppe ~] pe oe mope,
^epe aitiep iliche.
^euene ant) epSe he oueppie^,
^ip ejhen biS pulbpihr.
Sunne ~] mone ■] alle preppen,
BieS Sieprpe on hip lihre.
^e por hper SencheS ant) hper DoJ>,
Alle quike pihre.
Nip no louepT) ppich ip xipr,
Ne no kinj ppich ip t)pihre.
^euene -] epSe -j all Sar ip,
Biloken ip on hip hont)e.
^e t)eS ai ■f hip pille ip.
On pea ant) ec on lonCe.
^e ip opt) alburen opt)e,
T^nt) ent)e alburen eiit)e.
pe one ip eupe on eche pret)e,
Ulent>e pep Su pentJe.
pe ip buuen up ant) bineSen,
Biuopen ant) ec bihint).
8e man •f jotiep pille t)eS,
pie mai hine aihpap uint)e.
eche pune he ihep'S,
Snt) por eche tietje.
pe Suph pixS echep iSanc,
lUai hpar pel up ro ]\.€o&.
8e man neupe nele t)on T;ot),
Ne neupe jot) lip let)en.
Gp t)eS •] t)om come ro hip t)upe,
pe mai him pope at)pet)en.
punjep ■] Suppr here •] chele,
GcSe ant) all unhel'Se.
£5uph t)eS com on ^ip mit)elapt),
Hnt) oSep unipelSe.
Ne mai non hepre hir ijjenche,
Ne no runje relle.
pu muchele pinum ant) hu uele,
BieS inne helle.
Louie Dot) mit) upe hiepre.
!Snt) mit) all upe mihre.
!Snt) upe emcpiprene ppo up pelp,
8po up lepeS t)pihre.
8ume Sep habbeS leppe mepjSe,
Snt) pume Sep habbeS mope,
ech eprep San -^ he t)et)e,
eprep -^ he ppanc pope.
Ne pel Sep bi bpet) ne pin,
Ne oj;ep kennep epre.
Dot) one pel bi echep lip,
Snt) blipce ant) eche pepre.
Ne pal Sap bi pcere ne pcputs, ■*
Ne poplfcep pele none.
"Kc pi mepjjje •^ men up bihar,
"KW pall ben jot) one.
Ne mai no mepjj^e bi ppo muchel,
8po ip jotjep ipihSe.
pi ip poj) pune ant) bpihr,
Hnt» t)ai Dure nihre.
E)s:\i ip pele bure pane,
7?nt) pepre buren ippinche.
8e ■f mai ant) nele Set)ep come,
Sope hir pel uopSenche,
Dep ip blipce buren rpeje,
"Knt) lip buren t)eaSe.
Der eupe pullen punie Sep,
BliSe hi bie]) ant) eaSe.
Dep ip jeujej^e buren eltie,
!Snt) elt)e buren unheljje.
Nip Sep popje ne pop non,
Ne non unipelSe.
Dep me pel t)pihren ipen,
8po ape he ip mit) ipippe.
pe one mai ant) pel al bien,
Giijlep ant) mannep blipce.
To
*rHE HISTORY OF THE
To ^ape blij-ce oj* bpinj 30T),
Per pixett buren ence.
Danrie he upe piula unbinr,
Ojr lichamlice bent>. -
Cpipr jeue uf lel)e fpich lijr,
Snt) habbe j-pichiie ent)e.
♦)cr pe moren Sit5ep cumeii,
Danne pe hennej* pentje.
About the year 1 150, the S.-ixoh began to take a
form in which the beginning of the prefent Englijh
may be plainly difcovcrcd ; this cliange I'eems not to
have been the cffcdl of the Norman conqucft, for
very few French words are found to have been in-
troduced in the firft hundred years after it; the
language mud therefore have been altered by caufes
like thofe which, nottwithltanding the care of writers
and focieties InQituted to obv'ute them, are even
now daily making innovations in every living lan-
guage. I have exhibited a fpecimen of the lan-
guage of this age from the year 1 1 35 to 1 140 of the
Saxon chronicle, of which the latter part was ap-
parcritly written near the time to which it relates.
Dip jsepe pop Jtc kmj 8rephne opep pjc ro
Nopmant)!. ~\ Jjcp pep unt^ep-pan^en. popSi -f
hi pent)en -^ he pciiltx ben alpuic aipe jje com y^Y'
-\ pop he hat)t»e jer hip rjiepop. ac he ro t5elt)
ir -] pcarepet) poriicc. ODicel hat)t>e ^cnpi kinj
jatsenet) 30IT) -j pyluep. ant) na jot? ne t>it)e me
pop hir paule );ap op. Da be kmj Srephne ro
enjIa-IanO com \>a macot) lie hip jabepinj asr
Oxene-popt). 1 bap he nam be bipcop Rojep op
8epcp-bepi. ■] SlexanTsep oipcop op Lincoln.
"] re Hancelep Rojep hipe neuep. •] t)it»s lelie
in ppipun. ril hi japen up hepe caprlep. Da jje
puikep unt5ep5£eron jJ he miltx man j^ap •] popre
"3 jot). -} na jupcipe ne t)it)e. j^a t)it)en hi alle
punt)ep. pi hat)ben him manpet) maket> ant)
a^p puopen. ac hi nan rpeuSc ne heolt)en. alle
he pspon pop ppopen. •] hepe rpeoSep pop-
lopcn. pop ffupic pice man hip caprlep makete
antj ajaioep him heolticn. ant) pylDen j^e lant) pull
op caj-rU-p. ^1 puencren pui^c )?e ppccce men
op I?'* lant) mit) caprcl-peopcep. j^a ))e caprltp
papen makit). \i j:ylt)en hi mit) t)eou'ep ant)yuele
mtn. Da namen hi J^a men J7e hi pentitn ^ am
jot) he):t)en. ba& be r.ihrep ?.nt) be t).Tipp. capl-
m n ■] pimmen. ant) t)it);n hcom in jpipun eprep
jolt) ant) pyluep. -] pmcb heom un-rellcnt5!ice
pininj. pop n p!Fpen nasupe nan maprypp ppa
pinct) alpi- hi ptcpon. COe henjet) up bi |)c per
ant) pmoket) hcom mit) pul pmoke. me henjet)
"bi j)t- jjumbrp. o^ep bijie hcpet). -] ■ cnjen bpynijep
on hep per. OQe bitie cnorret) prpen ji p aburon
hepe iisuet). -j uupySen ro j5 ir TEt)e ro j?
hxpnep. pi t)it)cn heom in quaprejxnc pap natipep
•3 pnakep ■] pibep pscpon mne. ■] bpapen heom
ppj. 8umc hi t)it)en in cpucer hup. ■^ ip in an
cepre jJ pap pcopr •] napeu. •] un t)ep. •] t)it>e
pcfeppe rranep fiep inne. •] ppenjt)e J)e man \>x^
inne. jJ ni bp^^con alle ^t limep. In mam op j)e
caprk-p pa?pon lop -j jpT. -JJ ps.pon pachenrejep'
■jj rpa o^ep J)pe men hatiben onoh ro bjepon
onne. -f pap ppa macet) j5 ip pjeprnet) ro an
beom. •] t)it)en an pcjepp ipen aburon }pi mannep
l^pore ■] hip halp. -jJ he ne mihre nopit)eppapt)ep
ne pirren. ne lien, ne plepen. oc bjepon at jJ ipen.
COani ])upen hi bpapen mit) hunja?p. J ne canne.
•] ne mai rellen alle j)e puntiep, ne alle fe pinep -f
hi t)it)en ppecce men on hip lant). •] ■;p lapretoe |:'a
XIX. pmrpe pile Srephne pap kinj. -\ asupe ir pap
uueppe ant) uueppe. pi lasit)enj^iit)ep on j^e
runep jeupeu pile. -] clepetjen ir renpepie. pa
|)e ppecce men ne hat)t)en nan mopero jiuen. |ja
p£uet)en hi ant) bpent)on alle ]?€ runep. -f pel pu
mihrep papen all aoaeip pape pcult)ej-r j^u neupe
pint)en man in rune pirrentje. ne lant) rilet). Da
pap copn baspe. *] plec. ~\ ctepe. ■] burepe pop
nan ne pjep o |)e lant). Ujpecce men prupuen op
hunjsep. pume jcben on aelmep pe papen pum
pile pice men. pum plujen ur op lantie. lUep
nasupe jasr mape ppeccehet) on lant). ne nasupe
he'^en men peppe ne t)it)en pan hi t)it)en. pop
ouep piSon ne pop-bapen hi nouSep cipce. ne
cypce-ijept). oc nam al |?e jot> f j^ap inne pap.
~] bpentJcn pySen |7e cypce •] alrejst)epe. Ne hi
ne pop-bapen bipcopep lant). ne abborep. ne
ppeoprep. ac pasueben munecep. -3 clepckep. ■]
afupic man o^ep |7e ouep myhre. Dip rpa men
oSep jjpe coman piticnt) ro an run. al jje run-
pcipe piujain pop heom. penben -f hi prepon
psuepcp. De bipcopep -] lepet) meh heom cup-
iftT>c a;upe. oc pap heom nahr j^ap op. pop hi
pa?pon all pop-cupj-set) -3 pop-puopen -3 pojiiopen.
map pjE me rilct)e. J)e epSe ne bap nan copn. pop
]je lant) pap all popbon mit» puilce t)aEt)ep. -3 hi
pnEt)en openlice -f Lpij-r p!ep. -3 hip halechen. 8uilc
•3 mape Jeanne pe cunnen pajin. pe ]iolent)en xix.
pinrpe pop upe pinnep. On al pip yucle rime
hcolt) ClDaprm abbor hip abborpice xx. pinrep
■3 halp Jsp. T VIII. t)aE'ip. mit) micel puinc. -3
pant) |-e munekep. -3 re jej-rep al ■^ heom behouet).
•3 heolb mycel capireb in rhe hup. ant) |7oS pe-
£epe ppohre on |ie cipce -3 perre j?ap ro lanbep -3
penrtp. -3 jottt) ir puy^c ant) Isr ir pepen. ant)
bpohre htom inro ]:e neps mynprpe on p. Pcrpep
niaype-t)a:i mib micel puprpcipe. f pap anno ab
incapnarione Dom. mcxl. a combuprione loci
XXIII. Knt) he pop ro Rome -3 ]i)^^ pa?p pasl
unt)ep-p.in5fn ppam |7e Pape Gujenie. -3 bejjer
rbape ppiuilejiep. an op alle \>c lanticp op pabbor-
pice. -3 an oSep op ])e lanSep ])e lien ro \>t cipce-
pican. -3 jip he lenj mopre liuen. aIpe he minr
CO
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
ro T)on op f>e hojibeji-pycan, "Knt) he bejjcr m j'pac pib Robbejit eojil ^ pib f»empejMce anb|-pofi
lantjer -p jtice men heptien mit) yvjien-^pe. op heom aSaj-'iphe neujiema mib rekinjhij" bjio^eji
U3il!elm CDalOuir pe heolo Rojinjham |;fe caprel polbe halben. "] ciijipbe alle fe men fe mib hitn
he pan Eorinjham •] ej^run. -^ op pujo op Ulalr- heolben. anb psbe heom -p he polbe ifuen heom
uile he pan ^f^iTlw^i). -3 Sranepij. •] lx. pof. up tUin-ceprji.. ■} bibe heom cumen |7ibe]i. Da
op Stoepinjle £ek jasji. Snti he maket)e n anie hi |7asp inne pa^jxen |7a com f»e kinjep cuen .^ i
munekep. -} planrct5e piniasjit). ■] maket>; manie hijie prpenjSe ■^ bepsc heom, -p pep. y^ey inne
peojikep. -] pent5e |7e run berejie fian it asp pasp. micel hunjjep. Da hi ne lenj ne muhren jjolen. j^a
anb p tp jot) munec •] joT) man. ■] popSi hi luuetien prali hi ur ~\ plu jen. •] hi piipSen pip piSuren "]
Cot) anb TOiDe men. Nu pe pillen psejen pum tjel polecheben heom. anb namtn RotDbepr eopi op
par belamp on Srephne kinjep rime. On hip DIou-ceprpe ant) lebben him ro Roue-ceprpe. ant>
rime f»e Jut>eup op Nop-pic bohron an Epipren t)iben him j^ape m ppipun. anb re empepice pleh
ciltJ bepopen Sprpen. ant> pinet)en him alle pe inro an mynprpe. Da peopt)en Sa pipe men be-
ilce pininT -f upe Dpihrin pap pinet). ant) on lanj- rpyx. pe kinjep ppeonb ~] re eoplep ppeonb. ant)
ppit)aei him on potie henjen pop upe Dpihrnep pahrlebe pua ■f me pculbe leren ur pe kinj op
luue. ■] py^sn bypiet)en him. liUent)en -f ir ppipun pop f»e eopl. ■] reeopi pop f>e kinj. "] pua
pcutee btn pop holen. oc upe Dpihrin arypet)e bit)en. 8i^en ^ep eprepparhleben f>e kmj-] Ran-
•p he pap hall mapryp. ~\ ro munekep him namen. toolp eopi ar 8ran-popt» *] aSep ppopen ant)
•] bebypiet) him hejiicc. in Se mynprpe. ■] he rpeuSep psepron f hep nou'Sep pculbe bepuiken
maker |7up upe Dpihrin punt)eplice ant) mam- o^ep. -3 ir ne pop-prob nahr. pop pe kinj him
paelt)!ice mipaciep. ■] harre he p. Ulillelm:- pi'Sen nam m ^amrun. J^uphe ])icci past). ■] bitjc
On |3ip jafp com Dauit) kinj op Scorlant) mit) him in ppipun. ^ ep ponep he ler him ur fiuphe
opmere parpt) ro piy lant) polDe pinnan piy lanti." •] pasppe pet)ro -p popepaptie -p he puop on halitiom.
him com rojEeneplUillelmeoplopSlbamapljekinj •] jyplep panb. f he alle hip caprlep pcult)e iiuen
at)t)eberehr 6uop-pic. ■] ro oScp a^uez men mit» up. Sume he lap up anb pume ne lap he nohr.
pasu men -] puhren pit) heom. •] plemt)en pe king a;r anb bibe |janne pjeppe Sanne he hasp pculbe. Da
re prant)apt». ■] plojen pG^e micel op hip jenje:- pap Gnjle-lanb puioe ro-belcb. pume helben mib
Un f»ip jjep poloe pe kinj Srephne raecen Rot)- re kinj. -j pume mib f empepice. pop jja j^c king
bepreoplop Dlouceprpe. jjekinjeppune^enpiep. pap in ppipun. fa penben pe eoplep "j re pice
ac he ne mihre pop he papr ir pap. Da cprep hi men -p he neupe mape pculbe cumme ur. "j
pe lenjren jjeprepebe pe punne •] re tsrei aburon pashrleben pyb ]?empepice. -j bpohren hipe inro
nonrit) oejep. pi men eren "p me lihret)e canblep Oxen-popb. ant) lauen hipe pe bupch:- Da Se kinj
ro a.'ren bi. ~] -p pap xiii. kr. Appil. paspon men pap ure. J7a hepbe f paejen. anb roc hip pcopb
I'uiSe oppuntipet). Dejx eprep popt)-peopt)e Ujil- ■] bepasr hipe in pe rup. "3 me lasr hipe bun on
elm ^pce-bipcop op Eanrpap-bypij. -j re king nihr op pe rup mib papep. -j pral ur •] peas pleh
maket)e Teobalt) ^ffipce-bipcop, l^epap abbor in Jje ^ isebe on pore ro lUalinj-popb. Dasp eprep
Bee. Dej\ eprep psx puiSe micel uueppe beruyx pes pepbe opep pas. •] In op Nopmanbi penben
J^e kinj -j Ranbolp eopl op Useprpe nohr popSi alle ppa pe kinj ro pe eopl op Snjasu. pume hepe
•p he ne jap him a! -p he cuSe axen him. alpe he Jjankep -] pume hepe un-j^ankep. pop he bepser
tiitx; alle oSpe.ocjeppe femape lap heom J?e psppe heom ril hi aiauen up htpe caprlep. •] hi nan
hi paepon him. De eopl heolb Lincol ajsenep pe helpe ne haepben op jje kinj. Da pepbe Gupracc
kinj. ~] benam him al ■f he ahre ro hauen. -j re |je kinjeppuneroFpance. -jnamljekinjeppuprep
kinj pop pitiep. ■] bcpasrre him -] hip bpoSep op Fpance ro pipe. pent)e ro bijxron Nopmant)i
lUilielm t)2 R . . . ape in pd caprel. •] re eopl |7.cp Jjuph. oc he ppet)t)e lirel. ■] be jotJe pihre.
prjel ur -] p^ptie eprep Rotibcpr eopl op Clou- pop he pap an yucl man. pop papepe he ... . l)it)e
ceprpe. -3 bpohr him jjitsep mit> micel pepb. mape yuel Jeanne jot), he peuet)e pe lantiep •] Iasit)c
anb puhren ppiSe on Eantielmappe-t)asi ajenep mic pon. hebpohre hippiproGnjle-lant).
hcope lauept). ~j namen him. pop hip men him ~} t)it)e hipe in pe capre reb. Tot) pimman
puykcn -j plujaen. ant) liet) him ro Bpiprope ant) pea? psep. oc pcse het)t)e lirel blippe mit) him. *]
oitJcn flap in ppipun. "] . . . repep. Da pap all xpij^r ne polt)e f he pcult)e lanje pixan. -j paspb
Gnjlc-lant) prypet) map ])an aep ysey. ant) all yuel t)eb ant) hip moticpbelen. -jreeoplopSnjEupjept)
fxy in lant)e. Deji eprep com pe kinjep t)ohrep t)et). •] hip pune ^enpi roc ro pe pice. "Knb re cuen
^enpi'p p: hepbe ben Gmpepic on Tvlamanie. ■] nu op Fpance ro-t)s:lbe ppa pe kinj. "] peas com ro pe
pasp cunrepfe in T^njou. •] com ro Lunt)ene. -j re lunje eopl ^enpi. •] he roc hipe ro pipe. -3 al Peirou
Luntsenippce pole hipe polt)e ra;cen •] ycx pleh. T mit» hipe. Da pepbe he mit) micel pspb inro
poplep pap micel:- Deji eprep be bipcop op Gnjle-lanb. ■] pan caprlep. -] re km j pepbe ajencp
Ujin ceprpe ^enpi. pe kmjcp bpg^cp Srephnep. him micel mapepepS. Tfo^pjEfepepurcnhinohr.
Vol. I. c oc
THE HISTORY OF THE
oc |-cpbcn Jtc ^pce biprop -j re ]>\ye men be-
rpux hcom. •] makcbc jJ pahrcfrc kinj pculbe
btii laui j\b •} kinj pile he liutbe. •] aprep hij- bsi
p;)pe ^i npi kin J. •} he helbe him poji pabeji ■] he
nim poji pune. ant> pib -] psehre pcultJe ben bcrpyx
hconi -] on al Gnjlc lanO. i5ip ant) re oSpe
jrojimiapbrp Jjtr hi makcben poojien ro halbcn
pc kinj •} re eojl'. ant) re bipcop. •] re eojilrp.
-J picciren alle. Da pap pe eopl untjejxpanjcn
^r lUin ceprjie ar.b ser L.unbene mib miccl
pujirpcipe. anb alle t)iT)en him man-pcb. ant)
puoptrn pe paip ro halt>en. ant) hir papb pone
giSc job paip pua -p ncujie pap hejie. Da pap
ki('5 prjvtrnjcjie Jjanne he seuejar hep pap. •] re
f opt pepbe oucp pas. •] al pole him luuebe. pop he
XnX)c got) jupripe -j maktt)e paip:-
Nearly about this time, the following pieces of
poetry fecm to have been written, of which 1 have
inferted only (hort fragments ; the firft is a rude
attempt at the prefent meafure of eight fyllables,
and the fccond is a natural introduftion to Robert
of Gloucejier, being compofed in the fame meafure,
which, however rude and barbarous it may feem,
taught the way to the AUxandrines of the French
p6etry.
■p* U R in fee bi wefr fpaynge.
•*• If a lont) ihorc cokaygne.
Dcr nif lont) unt)er heuennchc.
Of wel of gotJnif hir iliche.
Doy paraDif be miri anD briyr.
Eokaygn if of fairir fiyr.
Whar if fer in parat)if.
Bor graffe ant) flure anD grenerif.
Doy Jjer be loi ant) grcr t)urc.
Der nif mer bore frurc.
Dcr nif halle bure no bench.
Bor wanr man if furfro quench.
Beb per no men bur rwo.
^ely ant) cnok alfo.
Oinghch may hi go.
Whar |?er woni|) men no mo.
In cokaygne if mer ant) t)rink.
Wi])ure care how ant) fwink.
De mtr if rrie |)e brink fo clere:
To none ruflin ant) fopper. '
I figge for fo|) boure were.
Der nif lont) on er|?e if pere.
Unt)cr hcuen nif lont) i wifle.
Of fo mochil loi ant) blifle.
Dcr if mam fwerc fiyre.
Al if l)ai nif ))er no niyre.
Der nif barer no)'er frrif.
Nif ptr no t>ej7 ac eucr lif.
Dcr nif lac of mer no clojr.
Der nif no man no woman wrolr.
Der nif ferpenr wolf no fox.
^orf no capil. kowe no ox.
Dcr nif fchepe no fwine no gore.
No non horwyla got) ir wore.
Noficr harare nober frot)'*.
De lant) if ful of o])er got>e.
Nif f^er flei fie no lowfc.
In clo|) in roune bet) no houfe.
Der nif tounnir flere no hawje.
No non vile worme no fnawile.
No non frorm rem no wint>e.
Der nif man no woman blint)e.
Ok al if game loi anr gle.
Wel if him pax: J7er mai be.
Der be)) riverf grer ant) fine.
Of oile mclk honi ant) wine.
Wanr feruij) jjer ro nojjing.
Bor ro fiyr ant) ro waufling.
SANCTA MARGARETTA.
r^ LD E anr yonge i preir ou oure folief for ro
^^ iere.
Dencher on gob ])ar yef ou wir oure funnef ro
bere.
^ere mai reilen ou. wit) wort)ef feire ant) fwere.
De vie of one meitian. waf horen COaregrere.
;^ire fat)er waf a parriac. af ic ou reilen may.
In aunrioge wif echef i Se fajic lay.
Deve gotJcf anr t)oumbe. he fervet) nitt anr t)ay.
So t)et)en mony ojpere. picc finger weilawey.
Theot)ofius wafif nome. on crift Ae levet>e he
noutt.
pe levet)e on pt falfe got)ef. Sar peren wit) hontoen
wroutt.
Do jjar chilt) fcult^e chnftine ben. ic com him well
in |?outt.
€ bet) wen ir were ibore. ro t)tpt ir were ibpoutt.
De mot)er waf an hejjene wif pax hire ro wyman
bere.
Do ^ar chilD ibore waf. nolt)e ho hir furfare.
^o rent)e ir inro afye. wib meflagerf ful yare.
To a nopice far hire wifte. anr ferre hire ro
lore.
De nonce |)ar hire wifte. chilt)ren aheuet)e feuene.
De eitte|)e waf maregrere. crifref may of heuene.
Talef ho am rolt»e. ful feire anr ful euene.
Wou ho ])olct)en marrirt)om. fern Laurence anr
feinre Sreuene.
In thefe fragments, the adulteration of the Saxon
tongue, by a mixture of the Norman^ becomes
apparent ; yet it is not lb much changed by the
admixture of new words, which might be imputed
to commerce with the continent, as by changes
of its own forms and terminations \ for which no
reafon can be given.
Hitherto
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
Hitherto the language ufed in this illand, how-
ever different in fucccffive time, may be called
Saxon; nor can it be expeded, from the nature of
things oradually changing, that any time can be
afiigned, when the Saxon may be faid to ceafe, and
the Englilh to commence. Rokrt of Gloucejltr
however, who is placed by the criticks in the thir-
teenth century, fecms to have ufed a kind of in-
termediate diction, neither Saxon nor Englijh ; in
his work therefore we fee the tranfition exhibited,
and, as he is the firft of our writers in rhyme, of
whom any large work remains, a more cxtenfive
quotation is extraded. He writes apparently in the
fame mcafure with the foregoing authour of St.
Margarite, which, polifhrd into greater exadnefs,
appeared to our anceftors fo fuitable to the genius
of the Englijh language, that it was continued
in ufe almoft to the middle of the feventeenth
century.
/^F fe batayles of Denemarch, J^at hii dude in
^-^ \ys londe
J>at worft were of alle ojjere, we mote abbe an
honde.
Worft hii were, vor ojrere adde fomwanne ydo,
As Romeyns & baxons, & wel wufte J^at lond
|jerto.
Ac hii nc kept yt holde nojt, bote robby, and
flcnde.
And deftrue, & bernc, & fle, & ne coujje abbe non
ende.
And bote lute yt nas wor]?, |?ey hii were ouercome
^lome.
Vor myd flypes and gret poer as preft effone hii
come.
Kyng Adelwolf of ]py% lond kyng was tuenty jer.
|7e Deneys come.by hym ryuor |7an hii dude cr.
Vor in ^e al our vorft jer of ys kynedom
Myd j^re & frytty flypuol men her prince hyder
come.
And at Sou]?hamtone aryuede, an hauene by SouJ^e.
Anojjer gret oft jjulke tyme aryuede at Portef-
mou{;e.
}jc kyng nufte wejjer kepe, at delde ys oft atuo.
J7e Denes adde j^e mayftrc. \o al was ydo.
And by Eftangle and Lyndcfeye hii wende vorb atte
lade.
And fo hamward al by Kent, & (lowe & barnde
vafte,
Ajen wynter hii wende hem. anojjer jer eft hii
come.
And deftrude Kent al out, and L.ondone nome.
jjus al an ten jer J?at lond hii brojte j^er doune,
*So fiat in \ic te|je jer of |)e kynge's croune,
Al byfou|3e hii come alond, and f'et folc of Somer-
fete
foru J?e byflbp Alcfton and j^et folc of Dorfete
6
Hii come & fmytc an batayle, & Jjere, Jf>oru Code's
grace,
fe Deneys were al bynej^e, & J^e lond folc adde J^e
place,
And more prowelTe dude ]jo, fan J>e kyng my^te
byuore,
jjeruore gode lond men ne be]? nojt al verlore.
\>c kyng was |?e boldore ]?o, & ajen hem fe more
drou.
And ys foure godes fones woxe vafte y nou,
Edclbold and Adelbryjt, Edelred and Alfred,
jpys was a ftalwarde tern, & of gret wyfdom & red.
And kynges were al foure, & defendede wel Jjys
lond.
An Deneys dude flame ynou, J^at me volwel vond.
Is fyxte)7e jere of j^e kynge's kynedom
In eldeftc lone Adelbold gret oft to hym nome.
And ys fader alfo god, and ofiere heye nfen al fo.
And wende ajenj^ys Deneys, j^a't muche wo adde
y do.
Vor myd tuo hondred flypes 8c an alf at Temfe
mou]j hii come.
And Londone, and Kancerbury, and ojjer tounes
nome.
And fo vor|) in to Soj^ereye, & floweSc barnde vafte,
fere fe kyng and ys fone hem mette atte lafte.
fere was batayle ftrong ynou yfmyte in an frowe.
f e godes kynjtes leye adoun as gras, wan medef
mowe.
Heueden, (fat were of yfmyte,) & oferlymes alfo,
Flete in blode al fram fe grounde, ar f e batayle were
ydo.
Wannef at blod ftod al abrod, vas fer gret wo y nou.
Nys yt reufe vorto hure, fat me fo vole flou ?
Ac our fuete Louerd atte lafte fl'ewede ys fuete grace.
And fende fe Criftyne Englyfl^e men f e mayftrye in
fe place.
And fe hefcne men of Denemarch bynefe were
echon.
Nou nas fer jut in Denemarch Criftendom non ;
fe kyng her after to holy chyrche ys herte fe morfe
drou.
And tefejede wel & al ys lond, as hii ajte, we! y
nou.
Seyn Swythyn at Wyncheftre byflTop fo was,
And Alcfton at Syrebourne, fat amendede muche
fys cas.
f e kyng was wel f e betere man f oru her beyre red,
Tuenty wynter he was kyng, ar he were ded.
At Wyncheftre he was ybured, as he jut lyf fere.
Hys tueye fores he jef ys lond, as he byjct ham ere,
Adelbold, the eldore, fe kynedom of Kftfex,
And fuffe Adelbryjc, Kent and Wcftfex.
Eyjtc hondred jer yt was and feuene and fyfty al fo.
After fat God anerfe com, fat fys dcde was ydo.
Bofe hii wufte by her tyme wel her kynedom.
At f e vyfte jer Adelbold out of fys lyue nome.
At
THE HISTORY OF THE
At Sfyrcbourne he was ybured, & ys broker Adel-
bryjt
His kynedotn adde after hym, as lawe was and ryjt.
By ys daye pe verde com of )je hej^ene men wel prout.
And Hamteflyrc and deftrude Wyncheftre al out.
And |jat lond folc of namteflTyre her red ]jo nome
And of Barcflyre, and fojte and pc ffrewen ouer-
come.
AdelbryTC was kyng of Kent jeres folle tene.
And of Wcftfex bote vyue, fo he dcyde ych wenc.
A DEL RED was after hym kyng y mad in J?e
**• place,
Eyjtehondred&feuene&fyxty as in|jejerof grace.
pc vorfte jer oi ys kynedonf J^e Deneys pycke com.
And robbedc and deftrude, and cytes vafte nome.
Mayftrcs hii addeof her oft, as yt were dukes, tueye,
Hynguar and Hubba, J^at flrewen were beye.
In Eft Angle hii byleuede, to reft hem as yt were,
Myd her oft al pe wynter, of pe vorft jerc.
feojjerjerhiidudehemvor]?, &ouerHombercomc,
And flowe to grounde & barnde, &Euerwyk nome.
fer was batayle ftrong y nou, vor yflawe was )jere
Ofryc kyng of Hombcrlond, & monye jjat with hym
were.
|?o Homberlond was j?us yflcnd, hii wende & tounes
nome.
So Jjat atte lafte to Eftangle ajen hym come,
^cr hii barnde & robbcde, and j^at folc to grqunde
flowe.
And, as wolues among ffep, reulych hem to drowe.
Seynt Edmond was )70 her kyng, & jjo he fey Jjac
deluol cas r
fat me morjjrede fo jjat folc, & non amendemcntnas.
He ches leuere to deye hymfulf, Jjat fuch forwe to
yfey.
He dude hym vorjj among hys fon, nolde he no)?yg
fle.
Hii nome hym & fcourged hym, & fujjjje naked
hym bounde
To a tre, & to hym flbte, & made hym mony a
wounde,
fat J?e arewe were on hym jjo fycce, f>at no ftede
nas byleuede.
Atte lafte hii martred hym, and fmyteof ys heued.
pc fyxte 3;cr of pe crounement of Alderecl be kyng
A nywe oft com into fys lond, gret)7oru allc fyng.
And anon to Redynge robbedc and flowe.
be king and Alfred ys broker nome men ynowe,
Mette hem, and a batayle fmyte vp Aftefdoune,
fer was mony moder chyld, fatfonelay jjerdoune.
be batayle ylalte vorte nyi^t, and fer were aflawe
Vyf dukes of Dcnemarch, ar hii wolde wyf drawe.
And mony foufend of ofer men, & fo gonne hii
to fle;
Ac hii adde alle ybc affcnd, gyf fe nyjt madde y be.
Tueye batayles her after in pc fuif jere
Hii fmyte, and at boj^e fe hefene mayftres were."
pc kyng Aldered fone )jo fen wey of def nome.
As yt vel, pe vyfty jer of ys kynedom.
At Wymbourne he was ybured, as God jef fat cas,
fc gode Alfred, ys brof er, after hym kyng was.
A LFRED, fys noble man, as in f e jer of grace
■^ he nom
Eyjte.hondred & fyxty & tuelue fe kynedom.
Arft he adde at Rome ybe, &, vor ys grete wyfdom,
fe pope Leon hym bleflfede, fo he f uder com.
And f e kynge's croune of hys lond, fat in fys lond
Tut ys:
And he led hym to be kyng, ar he kyng were ywys.
An he was kyng of Engelond, of alle fat fer come,
fat vorft f us ylad was of f e pope of Rome,
An fuffe ofer after hym of fe erchebyflbpes echon.
So fat hyuor hym pore kyng nas fer non.
In f e Souf fyde of Temefe nyne batayles he nome
Ajen fe Deneys fe vorft jer of ys kynedom.
Nye Ter he was f us in fys lond in batayle & in wo.
An oTte fypt aboue was, and bynef e oftor mo ;
So longe, fat hym nere by leuede bote f re flTyren in
ys hond,
Hamteflfyre, and WylteflTyre, and Somerfete, of al
ys lond.
A day as he wery was, and afuoddrynge hym nome
And ys men were ywend auyflfef , Seyn Cutbert to
hym com.
" Icham," hcfeyde, "-Cutbert, to fe ycham ywend
" To brynge f e gode tytynges. Fram God ychani
yfend.
" Vor fat folc of fys lond to fynne her wylle al
jeue,
" And jut nolle herto her fynnes byieue
" foru me & ofer halewen, fat in fys lond were
ybore ;
" fan vor jou byddef God, wanne we bef hym
byuore,
" Hour Louerd myd ys cyen of milce on fe lokef
feruore,
" Andfy poer fe wole jyue ajen, fat fou aft ney
verlore.
" And fat fou fer of fof yfe, fou fl*alt abbe
tokynynge.
" Vor fym men, fat bef ago to day auyflynge,
" In lepes & in coufles fo muche vyls hii ifolde
hym brynge,
" fat ech man wondry flfal of fo grec cacchynge.
*' And fe mor vor fe harde vorfte, fat fe water
yfrore hys,
*' fat be more ajen fe kunde of vyflTynge yt ys.
" Of ferueyt welajenGod, andylefmeys mefl"3ger,
*' And fou flail fy wylle abyde, as ycham ytold
her."
A«
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
\
As |?ys kyng herof awoc, and of |?ys fyjte jjojte,
Hys vyflTares come to hym, & io gret won of fyfs
hym brojte^
pit wonder yt was, & namelyche vor pe weder was
fo colde.
j-o lyuede J3e god man wel, pn Seyn Cutbert adde
ytold.
In Deuenyfiyre |5er after aryiiede of Deneys
bre and tuenty ffypuol men, all ajen pe peys,
be kynge's brojjer of Denemarcli tiuc of oft was.
Oure kynge's men of Engelond mette hem by cas,
And fmyte j^er an batayle, and her gret due flowe.
And ey jte hondred & fourty men, & her caronyes
to drowe.
po kyng Alfred hurde j;ys, ys herte gladede )jo,
f>at lond folc to hym come fo j^ycke fo yt myjte go,
Of Somerfcte, of Wyltefiyre, of Hamteffyre jjcrio,
Euere as he wende, and of ys owe folc ai fo.
So jjat he adde poer ynou, and atte lafte hii come.
And a batayle at Edendone ajen pe Deneys nome.
And flowe to grounde, & wonne pe mayftre of the
velde.
pe kyng & ys grete duke bygonne hem to jeldc
To pe kyng Alfred to ys wylle, and oftages toke,
Vorto wende out of ys lond, jyf he yt wolde loke ;
And jut ]?erto, vor ys loue, to auonge Criftendom.
Kyng Gurmund, pe hexte kyng, vorft jjer to come.
Kyng Alfred ys godfader was. & ybaptyfcd ek |7er
were
fretty of her hexte dukes, and muchc of j^at folc fiere
Kyng Alfred hem huld wyf> hym tuelf dawes as he
hcnde.
And fuj)]7e he jef hem large jyftcs, and let hym
wende.
Hii, )7at nolde Criftyn be, of lande flcve {jo.
And byjonde fte in France dude wel muche wo.
jut |7e (Irewen come ajcn, and muche wo here wrojte.
i\c|jekyng Alfred atte iafteto flame hem euere brojte.
Kyng Alfred was pt wyfofl: kynj, ]7at long was
byuore.
Vor l^ey mefegge Jjelawes be)? in worre tyme vorlore,
Nas yt nojt fo hiis daye. vor |7ey he in worre were,
Lawes he made ryjtuoUore, and ftirengore ]?an er
were.
Clerc he was god ynou, and jut, as me tellej? me.
He was more- j^an ten jer old, ar he couj^e ys abece.
Ac ys gode moder otte fmale jyftes hym tok,
Vor to byleue ojjer pie, arKi loky on ys boke.
So j:iat by por clergyc ys rvjt lawes he wonde,
pu ncuere er nere y mad, to gouerny ys lond.
And vor pc worre was fo muche of J^e lu|7er Deneys,
pe men of J?ys fulue lond were of j^c worfe peys.
And robbedc and flowe oj^ere, jjeruor he byuondc,
[;at Jjer were hondredcs in eche contreye of ys lond.
And in ech toune of pe hondred a te^^ynge were alfo,
And J)at ech man wvjioute gret lond in tej'ynge were
Vol. 1.
And jjat ech man knewe o|»er J^at in te|5ynge were.
And wufte fomdei of her flat, jyf me pa vp hem here.
So ftreyt he was, j^at ptf me ledde amydde weyes
heye
Seluer, jjat non man ne dorfte yt nyme, |7ey he yt
feye.
Abbeys he rcrde mony on, and mony fliudes ywys.
Ac Wyncheftrye he rerde on, jjat nywe munftre
ycluped ys.
Elys lyf eyTte and tuenty jer in ys kynedom ylafl;e.
After ys dep he wos yburcd at Wynciftcllre atte lafte.
Sir John Maudeville wrote, as he himfelf informs
us, in the fourteenth century, and his work, which
comprifing a relation of many different particulars,
confequcntly required the ufe of many words and
phrafes, may be properly fpecified in this place.
Of the following quotations, I have chofen the firft,
bccaufc it fliows, in fome meafure, the ftate of Eu-
ropean fcience as well as of the Engli/h tongue ; and
the fecond, becaufe it is valuable for the force of
thought and beauty of exprefllon.
TN that lond, ne in many othere bezonde that,
•^ no man may fee the fterre tranfmontanc, that
is clept the fterre of the fee, that is unmevable,
and that is toward the Northe, that we clepen
the lode fterre. But men feen another fterre, the
contraric to him, that is toward the Southe, that
is clept Antartyk. And right as the fchip men
taken here avys here, and governe hem be the lode
fterre, right fo don fchip men bezonde the parties,
be the fterre of the Southe, the which fterre ap-
percthc not to us. And this fterre, that is toward
the Northe, that wee clepen the lode fterre, ne
apperethe not to hem. For whiche caufe, men may
wel pcrceyve, that the lond and the fee ben of
rownde fchapp and forme. For the partie of the
firmament fchewethe in o contrce, that fchewethc
not in another contrce. And men may well preven
be experience and foty le compaflTement of wy tt, that
zif a man fond paflTages be fchippes, that wolde go
to ferchen the world, men myghte go be fchippc
alie aboutc the world, and aboven and benethen.
The v/hiche thing I prove thus, aftre that I have
fcyn. For I have been toward the parries of Bra-
ban, and beholden the Aftrolabre, that the fterre
that is clept the rranfmontayne, is 53 degrees highc.
And more forthcre in Almayne and Bewme, it
hathe 58 degrees. And more forthe toward the
parties feptemtrioneles, it is 62 degrees of hcghte,
and certvn mynutes. For I my lelf have mefured
it by the Aftrolabre. No*/ fchulle.ze knowe, that
azen the Tranfmontayne, is the tother fterre, that
is clept Antartyke-, as I have feyd before. And
tho 2 fterres ne mecven neverc. And be hem
f turnechs
THE HISTORY OF THE
tiirnethe alle the firmamcnr, righte as dothe a wheel,
that turneche be his axille tree: fo that tho fterres
bercn the firmament in 2 egallc parties; fo that it
hathe als mochel aboven, as it hath benethcn. Aftre
this, I have gon toward the parties meridionales,
that is toward the Southe : and I have founden,
that in Lybye, men fccn firft the fterre Antartylc.
And lb ter I have gon more in tho contrees, that I
have f'ounde that tterrc more highe ; fo that to-
ward the highe Lybye, it is 18 degrees of hcghte,
and certeyn rrtinutcs (of the whiche, 60 minutes
maken a degree) after goynge be fee and be londe,
toward this contree,'of that 1 have fpoke, and to
other yles and londes bezonde that contree, I have
founden the fterre Antartyk of 33 degrees of
heghte, and mo mynutes. And zif 1 hadde had
companye and fchippynge, for to go more bezonde,
1 trowe wcl in certyn, that wee fcholde have feen
alle the roundnefle of the firmament alle aboute.
For as I have fcyd zou be forn, the half of the
firmament is betwene tho 2 fterres : the whiche
Kalfondellc I have feyn. And of the other halfon-
delle, I have feyn toward the Northe, undre the
Tranfmontane 62 degrees and 10 mynutes ; and
toward the partie meridionalle, I have feen undre
the Antartyk 3^ degrees and 16 mynutes : and
thanne the halfondelle of the firmament in alle, ne
holdcthe not but 180 degrees. And of tho 180, I
have feen 62 on that o part, and 33 on that other
part, that ben 95 degrees, and nyghe the halfondelle
of a degree •, and fo there ne faylethe but that I
have feen alle the firmament, faf 84 degrees and
the halfondelle of a degree ; and that is not the
fourthe p.)rt of the firmament. For the 4 partie of
the roundnefle of the firmament hole 90 degrees :
fo there faylethe but 5 degrees and an half, of the
fourthe partie. And alfo I have feen the 3 parties
of alle the roundntfle of the firmament, and more
zit 5 degrees and an half. Be the whiche I feye
zou certrynly, that men may envirowne alle the
erthe of alie the world, as wel undre as aboven,
and turnen azen to his contree, that hadde com-
panye and fchippynge and conduyt: and alle wcyes
he fcholde fynde men, londes, and yles, als wel as
in this contree. For zee wyten wclle, that ihei
that ben toward the Antartyk, thei ben ftreghte,
feet azen feet of hem, that dweilen undre the Tranf-
montane j als wel as wee and thei that dwellyn
undre us, ben feet azenft feet. For alle the parties
of fee and of lond han here appofiiees, habirablcs
or trepiflfiblcs, and thei of this half and bezond
half. And wytethe wel, that afire that, that I
may parccyve and comprehendt-, the londes of
Preftre John, cmperour of Yndc ben undre us.
For in goynge from Scotlonu or from Hnglond to-
ward Jc-rufalem, men gon upward alwcys. For
oure lond is in th«- lowe partie of the crihe, toward
the Weft: and the lond of Preftre John is the lov/e
partie of the erthe, toward the Eft : and thei harj
there the day, whan wee have the nyghte, and alfo
highe to the contrarie, thei han the nyghte, whan
wee han the day. For the erthe and the fee ben of
round forme and fchapp, as I have feyd beforn.
And than that men gon upward to o coft, men goa
dounward to another coft. Alfo zee have herd me
feye, that Jerufalcm is in the myddes of the world;
and that may men preven and Ichewen there, be a
fpere, that is pighte in to the erthe, upon the hour
of mydday, whan it is equenoxium, that i'chewcche
no fchadwe on no fyde. And that it fcholde bea
in the myddes of the world, David wytnefTethe it
in the Pfautre, where he feythe, Deus operatus eft
falute in medio terre. Thanne'thci that parten fro
the parties of the Weft, for to go toward Jcrufa-
lem, als many iorneyes as thei gon upward for ta
go thidre, in als many iorneyes may. thei gon fra
Jerufalem, unto other confynyes of thefuperficialtie
of the erthe bezonde. And whan men gon bezonde
tho iourneycs, towarde Ynde and to the foreyn yies,
alle is envyronynge the roundnefle of the erthe and
of the fee, undre oure contrees on this half. And
therfore hathe it befallen many tymes of o thing,
that I have herd cownted, whan I was zong ; how
a worthi man departed fometyme from oure con-
trees, for togoferche the world. And fo he pafted
Ynde, and the yles bezonde Ynde, where ben mo
than 5000 yles : and fo longe he wente be fee and
lond, and fo enviround the world be many feyfons,.
that he fond an yle, where he herde fpeke his owne
langage, callynge on oxen in the plowghe, fuchc
wordes as men fpekcn to beftes in his own contree:
whereof he hadde gret raervayle: for he knevve
not how it myghte be. But I feye, that he had
gon fo longe, -be londe and be fee, that he had-
envyround alle the erthe, that he was comen azer\
cnvirounynge, that is to feye, goynge aboute, un-
to his pwne marches, zif he woide have pafled
torthe, til he had founden his contree and bis owne
knouleche. But he turned azen from thens, from
whens he was come fro ; and fo he lofte moche
peynefiille labour, as him felf feyde, a gret while
aftre, that he was comen horn. For it befclle aftre,
that he wente in to Norweye-, and there tempelt of
the fee toke him; and he arryved in an yle; and
whan he was in that yle, he knew wel, that it wa»
the yle, where he had herd fpeke his owne lan-
gage before, and the callynge of the oxen at the
plowghe: and that was poftible thinge. But how
it femethe to lymple men unlerned, that men ne
mowc not go undre the erthe, and alfo that men
fcholde fallc towarde the hevene, frotn undre! But
that may not be, upon lefie, than wee mowe f.iile
toward hevene, fro the erthe, where wee ben. Fof
;.ro what partie of the erthe, that naen du?!ie,
outher
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
outher aboven or benethen, it femethe alweyes to
hem that duellen, that thei gon more rights than
ony other folk. And righte as it femethe to us,
that thti ben undre us, righte fo it femethe hem,
that wee ben undre hem. For zif a man myghte
falle fro the erthe unto the firmament; be grettere
rrfoun, the erthe and the fee, that ben fo grete and
fo hevy, fcholde fallen to the firmament: but that
may not be: and therfore feithe oure Lord God,
Non timeas me, qui fufpendi terra ex nichilo? And
alle be it, that it be poflible thing, that men may
fo envyronne al!e the world, natheies of a looo
perfones, on ne myghte not happen to returncn in
to his contrce. For, for the grecnefle of the erthe
and of the fee, men may go be a looo and- a lOoo
other weyes, that no man cowde reyde him pcrfitely
toward the parties that he cam fro, but zif it were
be aventure and happ, or be the grace of God.
For the erthe is fulle large and fulle gret, and holt
in roundneffe and aboute envyroun, be aboven and
be benethen 20425 myles, aftre the opynyoun of
the old wife aftronomeres. And here feyenges I
repreve noughie. But aftre my lytylle wyt, it
femethe me, favynge here reverence, that it is
more. And for to have bcttere underftondynge, I
fcye thus, be ther ymagyned a figure, that hathe a
gret compas; and aboute the poynt of the gret
compas, that is clept the centre, be made another
litille compas: than aftre, be the gret compafs de-
vifed be lines in manye parties ; and that alle the
lynes meeten at the centre •, fo that in as many
parries, as the grete compas fchal be departed,
in als manye, fchalle be departed the litille, that
is aboute the centre, alle be it, that the fpaces
ben Icfle. Now thanne, be the gret compas repre-
fentcd for the firmament, and the litille cornpas
reprcfented for the erthe. Now thanne the firma-
ment is devyfed, be aftronomeres, in 12 fignes ;
and every figne is devyfed in 30 degrees, that is
360 degrees, that the firmament hathe aboven.
Alfo, be the erthe devyfed in als many parties, as
the firmament; and let every partye anfwere to a
degree of the firmament: and wytethe it wel, that
afire the audoures of aftronomye, 700 furlonges of
erthe anfweren to a degree of the firmament ; and
tho ben 87 miles and 4 furlonges. Now be that
here multiplyed be 360 fithes; and then thei ben
315000 myles, every of 8 furlonges, aftre myles of
oure coniree. So moche hathe the erthe in round-
neffe, and of heghte enviroun, aftre myn opynyoun
and myn undirftondynge. And zee Ichulieundir-
ftonde, that aftre the opynyoun of olde wife philofo-
phrcs and aftronomeres, oure contrce ne Irelond ne
Wales nc Scotlond ne Norweye ne the other yies
coHiynge to hem, ne ben not in the fuperficyalte
cownted aboven the erthe; as it fchewethe be alle
the bokes of aftronomye. For the fuperficialtee nf
the erthe is departed in 7 parties, for the 7 planetes:
and tho parties ben clept cly mates. And oure par-
ties be not of the 7Xlymates: for thei ben defcend-
ynge toward the Weft. And ajfo thofe yles of
Ynde, which beth evene azenft us, beth noghc
reckned in the clymates : for thei ben azi-'nft us,
that ben in the lowe contree. And the 7 clymates
ftrecchen hem envyrounynge the world.
II. And I John Maundevylle knyghteabovefeyd,
(alle thoughe I be unworthi) that departed from
ou.e contrees and paflTcd the fee, the zeer of grace
1322. that have pafltfd manye londes and manye
yles and contrees, and cerched manye fulle ftraunge
places, and have ben in many a fulle gode ho-
nourable companye, and at many a fairc dede of
amies, (alle be it that 1 dide none myle'f, for myn
unable infuffifince) now I am comen horn (mawgrce
my lelf) to rcfte : for gowces, arteiykes, that me
diftreynen, tho diffynen the ende of my labour,
azenft my wille (God knowethe.) And thus tak-
ynge folace in my wrecched rcfte, rccordynge the
tyme paffed, I have fulfilled tlicife thinges and
pucte hem wryten in this boke, as it wolde come
in to my mynde, the zeer of grace 1356 in the 34
zeer that I depjrtede from oure contrecs. Wher-
fore I preye to alle the redcres and hereres of tnis
boke, zif it plcfe hem, that thei wolde preycn to
God for me : and J fchalle preye for hem. And
alle tho that feyn for me a. Pater nofter, with ar»
Ave Maria, that God forzeve me my fynnts, I
make hem partneres and graunte hem part of alle
the gode pilgrymages and of alle the gode dedes,
that I have don, zif ony be to his plefance : and
noghte only of tho, but of alle that evere I fchalle
do unto my lyfes ende. And I befeche Almyghty
God, fro whom alle godcntfle and grace comethe
fro, that he vouchefaf, of his excellent mercy and
habundant grace, to fulle fyUe hire foules with infpi-
racioun of theHolyGoft, in makynge defence of alle
hire goftly enemycs here in erthe, to hire falvacioun,
botheof body andfoule; toworfchipeandthankynge
of him, that is three and on, with outen begy nny nge
and withouten endynge; that is, with outen qua-
litee, good, and with outen quantytee, gret ; that
in alle places is prefent, and alle thinges contenyn-
ynge ; the whichc that no goodneffe may amende,
ne non evelle empeyre; that in perfeyte trynytee
lyvethe and rcgnethe God, be alle worldes and be
alle cymes. Amen, Amen, Amen.
The
THE HISTORY OF THE
The fifft of our authours, who can be properly
ijiid to have written Englijh, was Sir John Govoer^
who, in his Confejfton of a Lover, calls Chaucer his dif-
ciplc, and may therefore be confidercd as the father
of our poetry.
"VJOWE for to fpeke of the commune,
■^ It is to drcde of that fortune,
Whiche hath befalle in fondryc londes:
But ot'te for dcfaute of bondes
All fodcinly, er it be wift,
A tunne, when his lie arift
Tobreketh, and renncth all aboute,
Whi.hc els (liulde nought gone out.
And eke full ofte a littcll Ikarc
Vpon a banke, er men be ware.
Let in the ftrcme, whiche with gret peine.
If any man it Ihall rcftreine.
Where lawe failleth, errour groweth.
He is not wife, who that nc trowcth.
For it hath proucd oft er this.
And thus the common clamour is
In euery londe, where people dwelieth:
And eche in his complainte tellethj
How that the worlde is mifwent,
And thervpon his argument
Yeueth euery man in fondrie wife:
But what man wolde him fclfe auife
His confcience, and nought mifufe,
He maie well at the firft excufe
His god, whiche euer ftant in one.
In him there is detaute none
So muft it ftand vpon vs felue.
Nought only vpon ten ne twelue.
But plcnarly vpon vs all.
For man is caufe of that fliall fall.
CHAUCER.
ALAS! 1 wepyngamconllrained to begin verfe
*^ of forowfull matter, that whilom in florifhyng
ftudie made delitable ditees. For lo ! rendyng
mufes of a Poctes cditen to me thingcs to be
writcn, and dreric teres. At lade no drede ne
might overcame tho inufes, ihat thci ne werren fel-
lowcs, and foloweden my waic, that is to faie,
when I was exiled, thei that weren of my youth
whilom wclfull and grene, comforten now forow-
full wcirdcs of me olde man : for clde is comcn
unwarely upon mc, haflcd by the harmes that I
have, and forowc hath commaunded his age to be
in mc. Heres hore arcn fhad overtimcliche upon
my hed : and the flackc fkinne irembleih of mine
cmptcd bodie. Thilke dtth of men is wclefuil,
that he ne comcth not in ycrcs that be fwete, but
5 comcth
The hiftoryof our language is now brought to the
point at which the hiftory of our poetry is generally
fuppofed to commence, the time of the illuftriou«
Geoffry Chaucer, who may, perhaps, with great juf-
tice, be ftiled the firft of our verfifiers who wrote
poetically. He does not, however, appear to have
defervcd all the praifc which he has received, or all
the cenfure that he has fufFered. Dryden, who,
miftaking genius for learning, in confidence of his
abilities, ventured to write of what he had not ex-
amined, afcribes to Chaucer the firft refinement of
our numbers, the firft produftion of eafy and natural
rhymes, and the improvement of our language, by
words borrowed from the more polilhed languages
of the continent. Skinner contrarily blames him in
harftj terms for having viiiatcdhis native fpeech by
'whole cartloads of foreign words. But he that reads
the works of Cower will find fmooth numbers and
eafy rhymes, of which Chaucer is fuppofed to have
been the inventor, and the Frorch words, whether
good or bad, of which Chaucer is charged as the
importer. Some innovations he might probably
make, like others, in the infancy of our poetry,
which the paucity of books does not allow us to dif-
cover with particular exadnefs ; but the works of
Ccmer and Lydgate fufficiently evince, that his dic-
tion was in general like that of his contemporaries :
and fome improvements he undoubtedly made by
the various difpofitions of his rhymes, and by the
mixture of different numbers, in which he feems to
have been happy and judicious. I have fcleftcd
feveral fpecimens botii of his profe and verfe ; and
among them, part of his tranflation of Boetius, to
which another vcrfion, made in the time of queen
Mary, is oppolcd. It would be improper to quote
very ff.aringly an author of fo much reputation, or
to make very large extradts from a book fo gene-
rally known.
C O L V I L E.
T That in tyme of profperite, and floryfhing
-^ ftudye, made plcaHiunte and delegable dities,
or verfes : alas now beyng heauy and fad ouer-
throwen in aduerfuie, am compelled to fele and taft
hcuines and greit. Beholde the mufes Poeticall,
that is to laye : the pleafure that is in poetes
verfes, do appoynt me, and compel mc to writ
thefe verfes in meter, and the forowfull verfes do
wet my wretched face with very watcrye teares,
yffuinge out of my eyes for forowe. Whiche mufes
no icare without doute could ouercome, but that
they wold folow me in my iourney of exile or ba-
niflimcnt. Soniecyme the ioye of happy and lufly
delegable youth dyd comfort me, and nowe the
rourfe of forowfull olde age caufeth me to reioyfe.
For hafty old age vnloked for is come vpon me
with
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
comcth to wretclies often icleped : Alas, alas !
with how defe an ere deth cruell turneth awaie fro
wretches, and naieth for to clofe wepyng eyen.
While fortune unfaithful! favoured me with light
godes, that forowfull houre, that is to faie, the
deth, had almofte t'rente myne hedde : but now
for fortune cloudie hath chaunged her decevable
chere to mewarde, myne unpitous life drawech
along ungreable dwellynges. O ye my frendes,
what, or whereto avaunted ye me to ben welfuU ?
For he that hath fallin, (lode in no ftedfaft degre.
with al her incommodities and euyls, and forow
hath commaunded and broughteme into the fame
old age, that is to fay : that forowe caufcth me to
be oide, before my time come of olde age. The
hoer heares do growe vntimely vpon my heade,
and my reuiled (kynne trembleth my flefh, cleane
confumed and wafte with forowe. Mannes death
is happy, that cometh not in youth, when a man
is luftye, and in pleafure or welth: but in time of
aduerfitie, when it is often defyred. Alas Alas
how dull and deffe be the eares of cruel death vnto
men in mifery that would fayne dye : and yet re-
fufythe to come and (hutte vp thcyr carefuU wep-
yng eyes. Whiles that falfe fortune fauoryd me
with her tranfitorye goodcs, then the howre of
death had alnioft oucrcome me. That is to fay
deathe was redy to opprefTe me when I was in pro-
fperitie. Nowe for by caufe that fortune beynge
turned, from profperitie into aduerfuie (as the clere
day is darkyd with cloudes) and hath chaungyd her
deceyuable countenaunce : my wretched life is yet
prolonged and doth continue in dolour. O my
ftendes why haue you fo often bofted me, fayinge
that I was happy when I had honour pofleflions
riches, and authoritie whych be tranfitory thynges.
He that hath fallen was in no ftedefaft degre.
TN the mene while, that I ftill record thcfc thynges
■*• with my felf, and marked my wepelie complainte
with office of poin(n:c!l : I faugh (londyng aboven
the hight of myn hed a woman of full grcte reve-
rence, by femblaunt. Her eyen brennyng, and
clere, feyng over the common m'.ght of menne,
with a lively colour, and with fothe vigour and
ftrength that it nc might not be nempned, all were
it fo, that fhc were full of fo grete age, that menne
wouKirn not trowcn in no manere, that Ihe were of
our elde.
The ftature of her was of dourous Judgemente,
for fometyme flie conftrained and (hronke her felven,
like to the common mefure of menne : And fome-
tyn-e it femed, that fhe touched the heven with
the hight of her hedde. And when flie hove her
hedde higher, fhe perced the felf heven, fo that the
fight of menne lokyng was in ydell : her clothes
wer maked of right dclie thredes, and fiibtel craft
of perdurable matter. The whiche clothes (he had
woven with her owne handes, as 1 kncwe well after
by her felf declaryng, and fhewyng to me the
beautie : The whiche clothes a darknefle of a for-
leten and difpifed eldc had dufked and darked, as
it is wonte to darke by fmoked Images.
In the nethereft hemme and border of thefe
clothes menne reddc iwoven therein a Grekifhe A.
that fignifieth the life adive, and above that letter,
in the hieft bordure, a Grekifhe C. that fignifieth
the life contemplatife. And betwene thefe two
Vol. I. letters
Y\7"HYLES that I confiderydde pryuylye with
' my felfe the thynges before fayd, and defcry-
bed my wofuU complaynte after the maner and
ofFyce of a wrytter, me thought I fawe a woman
ftand oucr my head of a reuerend countenaunce,
hauyng quycke and glyflcryng clere eye, aboue
the common forte of men in lyuely and delegable
coloure, and ful of ftrength, although fhe femed fo
olde that by no meanes fhe is thought to be one of
this oure tymc, her ftature is of douteful know-
ledge, for nowe fhe fhewethe herfclfe at the corn-
men length or ftatur of men, and other whiles fhe
femeth fo high, as though flie touched heuen with
the crown of her hed. And when (he wold ftretch
fourth her hed hygher, it alfo perced thorough
heauen, fo that mens fyghte coulde not attaine to
behold her, Her veftures or cloths were perfyt of
the finyfte thredes, and fubtyll workemanfliyp, and
of fubliaunce permanent, whych vefturs fhe had
wouen with her own hands as I perceyued after by
her owne faiynge. The kynde or beawtye of the
whyche veftures, a certayne darkenes or rather ig-
noraunce of oldenes forgotten hadde obfcuryd and
darkened, as the fmoke is wont to darken Images
that ftand nyghe the fmoke. In the lower parte of
the faid veftures was read the greke letter P. wouen
whych fignifyeth praftife or aftyffe, and in the
hygher parte of the veftures the greke letter T.
whych ettandeth for theorica, that fignifyeth fpecu-
lacion or contemplation. And betwene both the
[ g ] fayd
THE HISTORYOF THE
letters there were ken degrees nobly wrought, in
mancr of lad^icrs, by whiche degrees mcnne might
climben from the ncthercfl: letter to the uppercrt:
nathclcne handes of fomc men hadden kerve that
clothe, by violence or by ftrcngth, and evcriche
marine of 'hem had borne awaic Ibche ptrces, as he
might getten. And forfothe this forlaied woman
bare fmalc bokes in her right hande, and in her left
hand fhe bare a fcepter. And when flie fawe thefe
Pocticall miifes approchyng about my bed, and
endityng wordes to my wtpynges, (he was a litle
amoved, and glowed with cruell cycn. Who (q^
fhe) hath fuffcrcd approchen to this fike mannc
ihcfe commen ftrompettes, of which is the place
that mcnne callen Theatre, the whiche onely ne
iffwagen not his forowcs with renrwdies, but thei
would feden and norifhe hym with fwete venime ?
forfothe, that ben iho that with thornes, and
prickynges of talentesof affeccions, whiche thatben
nothyng fruftuous nor profitable, diftroicn the
Corne, plcntuous of fruiites of refon. For thei
holden hcrtes of men in ufage, but thei ne deliver
no folke fro maladie. But if ye mufes had with-
drawcn fro me with your flatteries any unconnyng
and unprofitable manne, as ben wont to finde com-
menly emong the peple, I would well fuffre the
lafle grcvoufly. For why, in foche an unprofitable
man myn ententes were nothyng endamaged. But
ye withdrowen fro me this man, that hath ben
nourifhed in my ftudies or fcoles of Eleaticis, and
of Academicis in Grece. But goeth now rather
awaie ye Mermaidens, whiche that ben fwete, till
it be at the laft, and lufFreth this man to be cured
and hcled by my mufes, that is to fay, by my note-
full fciences. And thus this companie of mufes
iblamed caften wrothly the chere dounward to the
yerth, and Ihewing by rcdnelTc ther fhame, thei
pafTeden forowfully the threlholde. And I of whom
the fight piounged in teres was darked, fo that I ne
might not know what that woman was, of fo Im-
perial audthoritie, I woxe all abalhed and ftonied,
and caft my fight doune to the yerth, and begin
ftill tor to abide what fhe would doen afterward.
Then came flie nere, and fct'her doune upon !.he
uttereit corner of my bed, and fhe beholdyng my
chere, 'hat was caft to the yerth, hevie and grevous
of wei-yng, complained with thefe wordes (that I
fliall fainc) the periurbacion of my thought.
fayd letters were fcne ccrtayne degrees, wrought
after the maner of ladders, wherein was as it were
a paflage or waye in lleppes or degrees from the
lower part wher the letter P. was which is vnder-
ftand from pradtys or aftyf, unto the hygher parte
wher the letter T. was whych is vnderfland fpecu-
!acion or contemplacion, Neucrthcles the handes
of fome vyolente perfones had cut the faydc veftures
and had taken awaye certayne pecis thereof, fuch
as euery one coulde catch. And fhe her lelre dyd
bare in her ryght hand litcl bokes, and in her lefce
hande a fcepter, which forefayd phylofophy (when
fhe faw the mufes poetycal prefent at my bed, fpck-
yng forowfull wordes to my wepynges) beyng angry
iayd (with terrible or frownynge countenaunce) who
fuffred thefe crafty harlottes to com to ihys fycke
man ? whych can help hym by no means of hys
griefe by any kind of medicines, but rather increaie
the fame with fwete poyfon. Thefe be they that
doo dyftroye the fertile and plentious commodytyes
of reafon and the fruytes therof wyth their pryck-
ynge thornes, or barren affecles, and accuftome or
fubdue mens myndes with fickenes, and heuynes,
and do not delyuer or heale them of the fame. But
yf your flatterye had conueyed or wythdrawen from
me, any vnlernyd man as the comen forte of people
are wonte to be, I coulde haue ben better con-
tentyd, for in that my worke fbould not be hurt or
hynderyd. But you haue taken and conueyed
from me thys man that hath ben broughte vp in the
fludyes of Arif^otel and of Plato. But yet get you
hence maremaids (that feme fwete untyil you haue
brought a man to deathe) and fuffer me to heale
thys my man wyth my mufes or fcyences that be
holfome and good. And after that philofophy had
fpoken thefe wurdes the fayd companyeof the mufys
poeticall beyng rebukyd and fad, cafle down their
countenaunce to the grounde, and by blulTyng con-
feffed their fhamfaftnes, and went out of the dores.
But I (that had my iyght dull and blynd wyth
wepyng, fo that 1 knew not what woman this was
hauing foo great audthoritie) was amalyd or afto-
nyed,and lokyng downeward, towarde ehe grounde,
I began pryvylye to look what ihyng fhe would
faye ferther, then fhe had fa id. Then fhe ap«
proching and drawynge ncre vnto me, fat downe
vpon the vttermoll part of my bed, and lokyng
vpon my face fad with weplng, and declynyd
toward the earth for Ibrow, bewayied the trouble of
my minde wyth thde layinges folowynge.
The
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
The condufions of the Astrolabie.
This book (written to his fon in the year of our
Lord 1391, and in the 14 of King Richard II.)
ftandeth fo good at this day, efpecially for the
horizon of Oxfcrd, as in the opinion of the
learned it cannot be amended, fays an Edit, of
Chaucer.
T Y T E L Lowys my fonne, I perceve well by
■■-' certaine evidences thync abylyte to lerne fcy-
ences, touching nombres and proporcions, and
alfo well conlydre I thy bcfye prayer in efpecyal
to lerne the tretyfe of the alfrolabye. Than for
as moche as a philofophcr faithe, he wrapeth hym
in his frende, that condilcendeth to the ryghc-
full prayers of his frende : therfore I have given
the a I'ufficient aftrolabye for oure orizont, com-
powned after the latitude of Oxenforde : upon the
•whiche by mediacion of this lytell tretife, I pur-
pole to teche the a certaine nombre of conclufions,
pcrtainynge to this fame inllrumcnt. 1 lay a cer-
taine nombre of conclufions for thre caufcs, tUe
firft caule is this. Trufte wel that al the conclufions
that have be founden, or ells pofliblye might be
founde in fo noble an inftrument as in the aftro-
labye, ben unknowen perfitely to anye mortal man
in this region, as 1 iuppofe. Another caule .
this, that foihely in any cartes of the aftrolabye
that I have yff ne, ther ben fome conclufions, that
wol not in al thinges perfourme ther beheftes: and
fome of 'henj ben to harde to thy tender age of
ten yere to conceve. This tretife divided in five
partes, wil 1 fhewe the wondir *lighi rules and
naked wordes in Engliftie, for Latine ne canft
thou nat yet but fmale, my litel fonne. But ne-
verthclerTe luffifcth to the thefe trewe conclufyons
in Engliftic, as wel as fufHfeth to thefe noble
clerkes grekes thefe fame conclufyons in greke,
• and to the Arabines in Arabike, and to Jewes
in Hebrewe, and to the Latin folke in Latyn:
whiche Latyn folke had 'hem firfte out of other di-
vers langages, and write 'hem in ther owne tonge,
that is to faine in Latine.
And God wote ihat in all thefe langages and in
manyc mo, have thef^ conclufyons ben fufficientlye
lerned and taught, and yet by divers rules, right
as divers pathes ledcn divers folke the right waye
to Rome.
Now wol I pray mekely every perfon difcrete,
that redcth or hereth this lityl tretife to have my
rude ententing cxcufed, and my fupcrfluite of
wordes, for two caufcs. The firft caufe is, for
that curious eniiityng and harde fentences is ful
hevy at ones, for foch a childe to lerne. And the
feconde caufe is this, that fothely me femeth better
to writen unto a childe twife a gode fentence, than
5
he foriete it ones. And, Lewis, if it be fo that I
(hewe the in my lith Engliftie, as trew conclu-
fions touching this mater, and not only as trewe
but as many and fubtil conclufions as ben yftiewed
in latin, in any comon tretife of the aftrolabye,
conne me the more thanke, and praye God fave the
kinge, thaf is lorde of this langage, and all that
him faith bereth, and obeieth everiche in his de-
gree, the more and the lafle. But confydreth
well, that I ne ufurpe not to have founden this
werkc of my labour or of myne engin. I n'ame
but a leude compilatour of the laboure of olde
aftrologiens, and have it tranllated in myn engliftie
onely for thy dodrine : and with this fwerde ftial
1 ftene e.^vy.
The firft party.
The firft partye of this tretife ftial reherce the
figures, and the membres of thyne aftrolaby, by-
caufe that thou ftialte have the greter knowinge of
thine owne inftrument.
The feconde party.
Th feconde partye ftial teche the to werken the
very praftike of the forefai i conclurn>ns, as fer-
forthe and alfo narowe as may be fnewed in ft>
fmale an inftrument portatife aboute. For wel
wote every aftrologien, thai fmalleft frailions ne
wol not be ftiewe i in fo i'mal an inftrument,, as in
fubtil tables caculcd for a caufe.
The Prologue of the Testament of LOVE.
I
■jV/TANY men there ben, that with eres openly
^^■^ fprad fo moche fwalowen the delicioufnefte of
jeftes and of ryme, by queint knittinge coloures,
that of the godenefle or of the badneffe of the fen-
tence take they lilel hede or els none.
Sothelye dulle witte and a thoughtfuUe foule fo
fore have mined and grafted in my fpirites, that
foche craft of enditingc woll nat ben of mine
acquaintaunce. And for rude wordes and boiftous
percen the herte of the herer to the inreft point, and
planten there the fentence of thinges, fo that with
litel helpe it is able to fpring, this boke, that no-
thynge hath of the grete flode of wytte, ne of
fcmelyche colours, is dolven with rude wordes and
boiftous, and fo drawe togiSer to maken the catch-
ers therof ben the more redy to hent fentence.
Some men there ben, that painten with colours
riche and fome with wers, as with red inke, and
foine with coles and chalke : and yet is there gode
matter to the leude peple of thylke chalkye pur-
trcyture, as 'hem thinketh for the time, and after-
ward
THE HISTORY OF THE
ward the fyght of the better colours yeven to 'hem
more joyc tor the firft leudncflTe. So foihly this
Icude clowdy occupacyon is not to prayfe, but by
the leude, for comenly leude leudeneflc commend-
eth. Eke it (hal ycve fight that other precyous
thynges fhall be the more in reverence. In Latin
and French hath many foveraine wittes had grete
dclyte to endite, and have many noble thinges ful-
fildc, but ccrtes there ben fome that fpeken ther
poifye mater in Frenche, of whiche fpcche the
Frenche men have as gode a fantafye .as we
have in hcryng of Frenche mens Engliflie. And
many termes there ben in Englyfhe, whiche
unncth we Englifhe men connen declare the
knowkginge : howe fhould than a Frenche man
borne ? loche tcrmcs connejumperc in his matter,
but as the jay chatcreth Englifhe. Right fo truely
the underftandyn of Englifhmen woll not ftretche
to the privie termes in Frenche, what fo ever we
boften of ftraunge langage. Let then clerkes en-
■ditcn in Latin, for they have the propertie of
fcience, and the knowinge in that facultie: and
lette Frenche men in iher Frenche alfo enditen ther
queint termes, for it is Jcyndcly to ther mouthes ;
and let us (hewe our fantafies in fuch wordes as we
lernedcn of our dame's tonge. And although this
boke be lytel thank worthy for the leudnefTe in
travaile, yet foch writing exiten men to thilke
thinges that ben neceffarie ; for every man therby
may as by a perpetual myrrour fcne the vices or ver-
tues of other, in whyche thynge lightly may be
conceved to cfchue perils, and neceffarics to catch,
after as aventures have fallen to other peplc or
perfons.
Certcs the foverainft thinge of defirc and mod
creture refonable, have or els (huld have full ap-
petite to ther perfeccyon : unrefonable beftes
mowcn not, fithe rcfon hath in *hem no workinge :
ihan refonable that wol not, is compari'bned to un-
refonable, and made lyke 'hem. Forfothe the molt
foveraine and finall pcrfeccion of man is in know-
-yngc of a fothe, withouten any entent dccevable,
and in love ot one very God, that is inchaungeable,
*hat is to knowe, and love his creator.
Nowe principally the menc to brynge in know-
leging and lovynge his creatour, is the confidera-
<yon of thynges made by the creatour, wher through
by thylke thinges that ben made, underltandynge
here to our wyttes, arne the unlcne pryvities of
God made to us fyghtfuU and knowinge, in our
contcmplacion and underftondinge. Tnele thinges
than forfothe moche bringen us to the ful know-
leginge fothe, and to the parfyte love of the maker
ot htvenly thynges. Lo! David laith: thou hade
dclitcd mc in makinge,as who faith, to have deiite
in the tunc how God hat lent me in confideracion
of thy inakinge. Whcrof Ariftotle in the boke
de Animalibus, faith to naturell philofophcrs : it is
a grete likynge in love of knowinge ther cretourc:
and alfo in knowinge of caufes in kindelye thynges,
conQdrid forfothe the formes of kindelye thinges
and the fhap, a gret kyndely love we fliulde have
to the werkman that 'hem made. The crafte of a
werkman is fhewed in the werk. Herefore trulie
the philofopliers with a lyvely ftudie manie noble
thinges, righte precious, and worthy to memoryc,
writen, and by a gret fwet and travaille to us leften
of caufes the properties in natures of thinges, to
whiche therfore philofophers it was more joy, more
lykinge, mere herty lull in kindely vertues and
matters of refon the perfeccion by bufy ftudy to
knowe, than to have had all the trefour, al the
richeflTe, al the vainctglory, that the pafled empe-
rours, princes, or kinges hadden. Therfore the
names of 'hem in the boke of perpetuall memorie
in vertue and pece arne writen -, and in the con-
trarie, that is to faine, in Styxe the foule pitte of
helle arne thilke prefled that foch godenes hated.
And bicaufe this boke fliall be of love, and tha
prime caufes of ftering in that doinge with paf-
fions and dilefes for wantinge of defire, I wil that
this boke be clcped the teftament of love.
But nowe thou reder, who is thilke that wirtnot
in fcorne laughe, to here a dwarle or els halfe a
man, fay he will rende out the fwerde of Hercules
handes, and alfo he fhulde fet Hercules G;ides a
mile yet ferther, and over that he had power of
ftrengch to pull up the fpere, that Alifander the
noble might never wagge, and that paflmge al
thinge to ben mayfter of Fraunce by might, there
as the noble gracious Fdwarde the thirde for al his
grete prowelTe in viftories nc might al yet conquere?
Certes I wote well, ther fiiall be made more
fcorne and jape of me, that I fo unwortheiy clothed
altogither in the cloudie cloude of unconning, wil
putten me in prces to fpeke of love, or els of the
caufes in that matter, fuhen al the grettefl; clerkes
han had ynough to don, and as who faith gathered
up clene tofornc 'hem, and with ther fharp fithes of
conning al mowen and made cherof grete rekes and
noble, ful of al plenties to fede me and many an
other. Envye forfothe commendeth noughte his
refon, that he hath in hain, be it never fo trulty.
And although thefe noble repers, as gode work-
men and worthy ther iiier, han al draw and bounde
up in the Iheves, and made many fhockcs, yet have
1 enfample to gaScr the fmale crommes, and fullin
ma walet of tho that fallen from the bourde among
the fmalle houndes, notwithftanding the travaile of
the almoigner, that hath draw up m il)e cloth al
the remilfiiles, as trenchours, and the relefe to
bere to the almeire. Yet alfo have 1 ieve of the
noble hulbande Boece, although I be a (Iraunger
of conningc to come after his dodrinc, and thefe
grete
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
I
grete workmen, and glene my handfuls of the
Ihedynge after ther handes, and yf me faile ought
of my ful, to encrefe my porcion with that I fhal
drawe by privy ties out of fhockes-, a flye fervaunte
in his owne heipe is often moche commended 5
knowynge of trouthe in caufcs of thynges, was
more hardier in the firfte fechers, and fo fayth
Ariftotle, and lighter in us that han folowed after.
For ther pafTing ftudy han freflied our wittes, and
oure underftandynge han excited in confideracion
of trouth by fliarpenes of ther refons. Utterly
thcfe thingcs be no dremcs ne japes, to throwe to
hoc^tres, it is lifelych mete for children of trouth,
and as they me betiden whan I pilgramed out of
my kith in wintere, whan the wether out of mefure
was bolftous, and the wyld w.ynd Boreas, as his
kind afketh, with dryingc coldes maked the wawes
of the ocean fe fo to arife unkindely over the com-
mune bankes that it was in point to fpill all the
crche.
The Prologues of the Canterbury Tales of
CHAUCER, from the MSS.
XX/HEN that Aprilis with his (houris fote,
^ ^ The drought of March had percid to the rote.
And iiathid every veyn in fuch licpur,
Of which vcrtuc engendrid is the flour.
When Zephyrus eke, with his fwete brcth
Enfpirid hath, in every holt and heth
The tender croppis ; and that the yong Sunn
Hath in the Kamm his halve cours yrunn :
And fmale foiriis makin melodye.
That Qepin alle night with opin eye,
(So prickith them nature in ther corage)
Then longin folk to go on pilgrimage :
And palmers for to fekin ftrange ftrondes,
To fervin hallowes couth in fondry londes:
And fpeciaUy fro every fhir'is end
Of England, to Canterbury they wend.
The holy blisfull martyr for to fckc.
That them hath holpin, whan that they were feke.
Befell that in that fefon on a day
In Southwerk at the Tabberd as I lay,
Redy to wcndin on my pilgrimage
To Canterbury, with devote corage.
At night wer come into that hoftery
Wcle nine and twenty in a cumpany
Of lundrie folk, by aventure yfall
In felafhip ; and pilgrimes wer they all:
That toward Canterbury wouldin ride.
The chambers and the ftabiis werin wide,
[And well we werin efid at the beft :
And fhortly whan the funne was to red.
So had I ipokin with them everych one.
That I was of ther felalhip anone j
Vol. I.
And made forward erli for to rife.
To take our weye, ther as I did devife.
But nathlefs while that I have time and fpace,
Er' that I farther in this tale pace,
Methinkith it accordaunt to refon.
To tell you alle the condition
Of ech of them, fo as it femid me.
And which they werin, and of what degree.
And eke in what array that they wer in :
And at a knight then woll I firft begin.
The Knight.
A knight ther was, and that a worthy man,
That fro the time that he firft began
To ridin out, he lovid Chevalrie,
Trouth and honour, fredome and curtefy.
Full worthy was he in his lordis wcrre.
And thereto had he riddin nane more ferre
As well in Chriftendom, as in Hethnefs j
And evyr honoured for his worthinefs.
At Aleflandre' he was whan it was wonj
Full oft timis he had the bord begon
Abovin alle naciouns in Pruce -,
In Lettow had he riddin, and in Luce,
No Chriften-man fo oft of his degree
In Granada •, in the fege had he be
Of Algezir, and ridd in Belmary ;
At Leyis war he, and at Sataly,
Whan that they wer won ; and in the grete fee
At many'a noble army had he be :
At mortal battails had he ben fiftene.
And foughtin for our feith at Tramefcne,
In liftis ihrys, and alwey flein his fo.
This ilke worthy knight hath ben alfo
Sometimis with the lord of Palathy,
Ayens anothir hethin in Turky j
And evirmore he had a fov'rane prize ;
And though that he was worthy, he was wife j
And of his port as mtke as is a maid.
He nevir yet no villany ne faid
In all his life unto no manner wight:
He was a very parfit gentil knight.
But for to tellin you of his array.
His hors wer good ; but he was nothing gay j
Of fuftian he werfd a gipon,
Alle bcfmottrid with his haburgeon.
For he was late ycome from his viage,
And wcnte for to do his pilgrimage.
The House of FAME.
The Firft Boke.
"XT O W herken, as I have you faied,
■*-^ What that I mette or I abraied,
Of December the tenith daie.
When it was night, to flepe 1 laie,
[h]
Right
THE HISTORY OF THE
Right as I was wontc for to docn.
And fill aQcpe wondir lone.
As he that was weiie forgo
On pilgrimage milis two
To the corps of fainft L.eonarde,
To makin lith that erll was harde.
But as mc flcpt mc mette I was
Within a temple' imadc of glas,
In whiche there wcrin mo images
Of golde, ftandyng in fondric lbge»,
Sette in mo riche tabirn-icles.
And with perrc mo pinnacles.
And mo curious portraituris,
And qucint manir of figuris
Of goldc worke, then 1 fawc CTir.
But certainly 1 n'ift ncvir
Where that it was, but well wift I
It was of Venus rcdily
This temple, for in purtrciture
1 fawe anone right her figure
Nakid yfletyng in a fe.
And alfo on her hedde parde
Her rofy garUnd white and redde.
And her combe for to kcmbe her hcddc.
Her dovis, and Dan Cupido
Her blinde fonne, and Vulcano,
That in his face ywas full broune.
But as I romid up and doune,
I founde that on the wall there was
Thus writtin on a table* of bras.
I woll now fyng, if that I can.
The armis, and alio the man.
That firll came through his deftine
Fiigitific fro Troye the countre
Into itaile, with full mochc pine.
Unto the ftrondis of Lavine,
And tho began the ftoric' anone.
As I (hall tellin you ecbone.
Firll fawe I the dilUuccion
Of Troie, thorough the Grcke Sinon,
With his falTc untrue forfwcryngcs.
And with his chere and his Icfynges,
That made a hori'e, brought into Troye,
By whiche Trojans lofte all their joye.
And aftir this was graved, alas !
How llions calhll aHailed was.
And won, and kyng Friamus llain.
And PoJites his ionre certain,
Difpitoutly of Dan Pyrrhus.
And next that fawc I howc Venus,
When that (he fawe the caftill brcnde,
Doune from hevin (he gan difccnde.
And bade her fonne ^neas He,
And how he fled, and how that he
Efcapid was from all the pre?,
And toko his fathrc*, old Anchifes,
And bare hym on his backe awaie.
Crying alas and wclawale !
The whiche Anchifes in his hande.
Bare tho the godJis of the lande
I mene thilke that unbrcnnid were.
Then fawe 1 next that all in fere
How Creufa, Dan /Eneas wife.
Whom that he lovid all his life.
And her yong fonne clepid Julo,
And eke Afcanius alio,
Fleddin eke, with full dreric chere.
That it was pile for to here.
And in a foreft as thei went
How at a tournyng of a went
Creufa was ilollc, alas !
That rede not I, how that it was
How he her fought, and how her ghofte
Bad hym to flic the Grekis hofte.
And faied he mufl: into Itaile,
As was his deftinie, fauns faile.
That it was pitic for to here.
When that her fpirite gan appere.
The wordis that Ihe to hym laied.
And for to kepc her fonne hym praied.
There fawe I gravin eke how he
His fathir eke, and his meine
With his Ihippis began to faile
Toward the countrey of Itaile,
As llreight as ere thei mightm go.
There fawe I eke the, cruill Juno,
That art Dan Jupiter his wife.
That hsft ihated all thy life
Mercilefs all the Trojan blode,
Rennin and crie as thou were wodc
On j^olus, the god of windcs.
To blowin out of alie kindes
So loude, that he (hould ydrenche
Lorde, and ladie, and grome, and wenche
Of all the Trojanis nacion.
Without any* of their falvacion.
There fawe I foche tempell arife.
That every herte might agrife.
To fe it painiid on the wall.
There lawe I eke grawin withall,
Venus, how ye, my ladie dere,
Ywcpyng with full wofuU cherc
Yprayid Jupiter on hie.
To lave and kepin that navie
Of that dere Trojan ^neas,
Sithins that he your fonne ywas.
Code
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
Gode counfallc of Chaucer.
17 L I E fro the prcfe and dwell with fothfallnefle,
■*■ Suffife unto the gode though it be Jmali,
For horde hath hate, and climbyiig tikilneirc,
Prtce hath cnvie, and wcle it brent oer ail,
Savour no more4bcn the bchovin fhall.
Rede well thy felf, that othir folkc canft rede.
And trouthe the ihall delivir it 'is uodrcdc.
Paine the not cche crokid to rcdrefle.
In truft of her that tournith as a balle,
Crete reft ft.jndith in litil bulincfle.
Beware alio to fpurne ag^in a nalle.
Strive not as doith a crockc with a walle,
Dcmirh thy felf that demill othir's dcde.
And trouthe the fhall deliver it 'is no drede.
That the is fcnt rcceve in buxomentfll- •,
The wralUyng of this worlds aikith a fjU ;
Here is no home, here is but wildirncflV,
For'.he pilgrim, forthe o befl: out of thy flail,
Loke up on high, and thanke thy God of all,
Wcivith thy luile and let thy gholl the lede.
And trouthe the fhall delivir, it 'is no drede.
Balade of the village without paintyng.
'T' H 1 S wrctchid world'is tranfmutacion
■*• As wcle and wo, nov/e pore, and now honour.
Without ordir cr due difcrecion
Govirnid is by fortun'is crrour.
But nathelefle the lacke of her favour
Nc male not doc me fyng though that I die,
J'ay tout perdu, mon temps & mon labcur
For finally fortune I doc defie.
Yet is me left the fight of my rcfoun
To knowin frende fro foe in thy mirrour.
So moche hath yet thy tournyng up and doun,
I taughtin me to knowin in an hour,
But truily no force of thy reddour
To hym that ovir hymfelf hath maiftrie,.
My fuffifaunce yflial be my fuccour.
For finally fortune I do defie.
O Socrates, ihou ftedfalt champion.
She nc might nevir be thy turmcntour.
Thou nevir dreddilt her oppreffion,
Ne in her chcrc foundin thou no favour,
Thou knewe wcle the difccipt of her colour.
And that her mofte worfliip is for to lie,
1 knowe her eke a falfe dilTimulour.
For finally fortune I do defie.
The anfwerc of Fortune.
No man is wretchid but hymfelf it wene.
Me that yhaih hymfelf hath fuffifaunce.
Why faiert thou then I am to the fo kene,
1 hat hath ihyfclf out of my govirnaunce ?
Sale thus grant mercie of thin iiabundauncr,.
That thou hafl lentor this, thou (lialt not llrivej.
What wort thou yet how 1 the woll avauncc?
And eke thou hall thy beflc frende alive.
1 have the taught divifion bctwene
Frende of effcde, and frende of countinaunce.
The nedith not the galle of an hine.
That curith eyin derke for ther penaunce,
Now feeft thou clere that wcr in ignoraunce.
Yet holt thine anker, and thou maicfl arive
There bountie bereth the key of my fubftauncc,
And ckc thou hartc thy befte frende alive.
How many have I refufed to fuftene,
Sith I have the follrid in tliy pltfaunce ?
Wolt thou thcrn make a (latute on thy quene,
That I fhall be aie at thine ordinaoncc?
Thou born art in my reign of variaunce,
About the vi'hde with othir muft thou drive
My loie is bet, then wickc is thy grevaunce.
And ckc thou haft thy befte frende alive.
The anfwere to Fortune.
Thy lore I dampne, it is adverfitie.
My frcnd maill thou not revin blind goddefle,
That I thy frendis knowe I thanke it the,
Take 'hem again, let 'hem go lie a preftc-.
The nigardis in kepyng ther richcfTe
Pronoftike is thou wolt ther toure afTailf,
Wicke appetite comcth aie before fickenclle.
In gcncrall this rule nc maie not failc.
Fortune.
Thou pinchift at my mutabilitie.
For I the lent a droppe of my richcfte.
And now me likith to withdrawin me.
Why fliouldirt thou my roialtie opprclle ?
The fe maie ebbe and fl>)win more and lefTc,
Thewclkin hath might to ftiine, rain, and haile.
Right fo muft I kithin my brotilnefti?.
In generall this rule ne maie not faile.
The PlaintiiTe.
Lo, the' execucion of the majcftie,
That all purveighith of his rightwifencfTe,
That fame thyng fortune yclcpin ye;
Ye blinde beftia full of leudenefs !
The hevcn hath propirtie of fikirnefs.
This worldc hath evir reftlefTe travailc.
The laft dale is the ende of myne cntrcfTe,
In generall this rule nc maie not failc.
Th' cnvoye of Fortune.
Princes I praie you of your gentilncfTe,
Let not this man and me thus crie and plain.
And I fhall quitin you this bufinelTe,
And if ye lifte rcleve hym of his pain,
Praie ye his bcft frende of his nobltnefTc
1 hat to fome bettir ftate he maie attain.
Lydgsle
THE HISTORY OF THE
Lyigale was a rrtonk of 5«ry. who wrote about
the fame time with Chaucer. Out of his prologue
to his third book of The Fall of Princes a few
(lanzas are fclefted, which, being compared with
the ftylcof his two contemporaries, will fhow that
our language was then not written by caprice, but
was in a fettled (late.
T IKE a pilgrime which that goeth on foote,
•*-* And hath none horfe to releue his trauayle,
Whote, drye and wery, and may finde no bote
Of wel cold whan thruft doth hym aflayle.
Wine nor licour, that may to hym auayle.
Tight fo fare I which in my bufinefle,
No fuccour fynde my rudenes to redrefTe.
1 meane as thus, I haue no frcfh licour
Out of the conduices of Calliope,
Nor through Clio in rhetorike no floure.
In my labour for to refrefh me :
Nor of the fufters in noumber thrife three.
Which with Cithera on Parnafo dwell, '
They neuer me gaue drinke once of their wel.
Nor of theyr Ipringes clere and chriftaline,
' That fprange by touchyng of the Pegafe,
Their fauour lacketh my making ten lumine
I fynde theyr bawme of fo great fcarcitie.
To tame their tunnes with fome drop of plentie
For Foliphemus tTirow his great blindnes,
Hath in me derked of Argus the brightnes.
Our life here fliort of wit the great dulnes
The heuy foule troubled with trauayle.
And of memorye the glafyng brotelnes,
Drede and vncunning haue made a ftrong batail
With werines my fpirite to affayle.
And with their fubtil creping in mod queint
Hath made my fpirit in makyng for to feint.
And ouermore, the ferefull frowardnes
Of my ftepmother called obliuion.
Hath a baftyil of foryetfulnes,
To ftoppe the paflagc, and Ihadow my reafon
That I might haue no clere direccion.
In tranflatinf^ of new to quicke me,
Stories to write of olde antiquite.
Thus was I fet and ftode in double werre
At the metyng of fearefiil wayes tweyne.
The one was this, who cuer lift to lere,
"Whereas good wyll gan me conftrayne,
Bochas taccomplifli for to doe my payne.
Came ignoraunce, with a menace of drede,
My penne to reft I durft not procedc.
Fortefcue was chief juftice of the Common Plea's,
in the reign of king Henry W. He retired in
147 1, after the battle of Tcwkefbury, and pro-
bably wrote mod of his works in his privacy.
The following pafla^e is fclectcd from his book
of the' Difference between an abfolute and limited Mo-
narch/.
TJYT may peraventure be marvelid by fome men,
■*■•■• why one Realme is a Lordlhyp only Royally
and the Prynce thereof rulyth yt by his Law, callid
Jus Regale ; and another Kyngdome is a Lordfchip,
Royalland Polilike, and the Prince thereof rulyth by
a Lawe, callyd Jus Politicum^ Regale-, fythen thes
two Princes bcth of egail Aftate.
To this dowte it may be anfwcryd in this man-
ner; The firft Inftitution of thes twoo Rcalmys,
upon the Incorporation of them, is the Caufe of
this diverfyte.
When Nembroth by Might, for his own Glorye,
made and incorporate the firft Realme, and lub-
duyd it to hymfelf by Tyrannye, he would not
have it governyd by any other Rule or Lawe,
but by his own Will ; by which and for th' ac-
complifliment thereof he made it. And therfor,
though he had thus made a Realme, holy Scripture
denyyd to cal hym a Kyng, ^da Rex dicitur a Re-
^ende; Whych thyng he dyd not, but oppreflyd
the People by Myght, and therfor he was a Ty-
rant, and callid Primus Tyranmrum, But holy
Writ callith hym Robuftus Venator coram Deo. For
as the Hunter takyth ttie wyld befte for to fcleand
eatehymj fo Nembroth fubduyd to him the People
with Might, to have their fervice and their goods,
ufing upon them the Lordfchip that is callid Domi-
vium Regale tantum. After hym Bclus that was
callid firft a Kyng, and after hym his Sone Nynus,
and after hym other Panyms ; They, by Example
of Nembroth, made them Realmys, would not
have them rulyd by other Lawys than by their own
Wills. Which Lawys ben right good under good
Princes; and theirKyngdoms a then moftrefemblyd
to the Kyngdome of God, which reynith upon Man,
rulyng iiim by hys own Will. Wherfor many
Cryftyn Princes ufen the fame Lawe; and therfor it
is, that the Lawys fay en, ^od Principi placuit Legis
habet vigorem. And thus I fuppofe firft beganne in
Realmy-s, Dominium tantum Regale. But afterward,
whan Mankynd was more manfuete, and better dif-
pofyd to Vertue, Grete Communalties, as was the
Felifhip, that came into this Lond with Brute,
wyllyng to be unyed and made a Body Politike
callid a Realme, havyng an Heed to govcrne it ; as
after the Saying of the Philofophcr, every Com-
munahie unyed of many parts muft needs have an
Heed ; than they chole the fame Brute to be their
Heed and Kyng. And they and he upon this In-
corporation and Inftitution, and onyng of themfclf
into a Realme, ordeynyd the fame Realme fo to be
rulyd and juftyfyd by fuch Lawys, as they al would
aflcnt unto ; which Law therfur is callid Politicum;
and bycaufe it is mynyftrid by a Kyng, it is callid
Regale.
\
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
Regale. Dominium Poliiicum dicitur quafi Regimen,
flurium Scientia,Jive Confiiio tnimfiratum. The Kyng
of Scotts reyniih upon his People by this Lawc,
videlicet, Regimine Politico fc? Regali. And as Dio-
dorus Syculus faith, in his Boke de prifcis Hijloriis,
The Realme of Egvpre is rulid by the fame Lawe,
and therfor the Kyng therof chaungith not his
Lawes, without the Aflent of his People. And in
like forme as he faith is ruled the Kyngdome of
Saba, in Felici Arabia, and the Lond of Libie;
And alfo the more parte of al the Realmys in
Afrike. "Which manner of Rule and Lordfljip, the
fayd Diodorus in that Boke, prayfith gretely. For
it is not only good for the Prince, that may thereby
the more fewerly do Jurtice, than by his owne Ar-
bitriment ; but it is alfo good for his People that
receyve therby, fuch Jullice as they defyer them-
feif. Now as me feymth, it ys fhewyd opinly
ynough, why one Kyng rulyth and re_ynith on his
People Dominio tantum Regali, and that other rey-
nith Dominio Politico ^Regali: For that one Kyng-
dome beganne, of and by, the Might of the Prince,
and the other beganne, by the Defter and Inftitu-
tion of the People of the fame Prince.
Of the works of Sir Thomas More it was necefTary
to give a larger fpecimcn, both becaufe our lan-
guage was then in a great degree formed and
fettled, and becaufe it appears from Ben Jonjon,
that his works were confidered as models of pure
and elegant ftyle. The tale, which is placed firft»
becaufe earlicft written, will Ihow what an atten-
tive reader will, in perufing our old writers, often
remark, that the familiar and colloquial part of
our language, being diffufed among thofe clafles
who had no ambition of refinement, lOr affedlation
of novelty, has fuHered very little change. There
is another reafon why the extrads from this author
are more copious : his works are carefully and cor-
rectly printed, and may therefore be better f ulled
than any other edition of the Engltjh books of that,
or the preceding ages.
A merry iefl how a fergeant would
Icarne to playe the frere. Writ-
ten by maifter Thomas More in
hys youth.
"IXT'YSE men alway,
" Affyrmc and fay.
That beft is for a man :
Diligently,
For to apply,
The bufincs that he can.
And in no wyfe,
To enterpryfe.
An other faculte.
For he that wyll.
And can no fkyll.
Is neuer lyke to the.
He that hath lafte.
The hofiers crafte.
And falleth to making fhone,
The fmythe that (hall,
To payntyng fall.
His thrift is well nigh done.
A blacke draper.
With whyte paper.
To goe to writyng fcole,"
An olde butler,
Becum a cutler,
I wene fhall proue afole.
And an olde trot.
That can I wot,
Nothyng but kylTc the cup.
With her phifick,
Wil kepe on ficke,
Tyll (he have foufed hym vp.
Vol. I.
A man of lawe.
That neuer fawe.
The wayes to bye and fell,
Wenyng to ryfe.
By marchaundife,
I wi(h to fpede hym well,
A marchaunt eke.
That wyll goo feke.
By all the meanes he may,
To fall in fute,
Tyll he difpute.
His money cleane away,
Pletyng the lawe.
For euery ftrawe.
Shall proue a thrifty man,
With bate and ftrifc,
But by my life,
I cannot tell you whan.
Whan an hatter
Wyll go fmattcr
In philofophy.
Or a pedlar.
Ware a medlar.
In theology.
All that enfufc,
Suche craftes new.
They driue fo farre a caft,
That euermore.
They do therfore,
Befhrewe themfelfe at laft.
This thing^was tryed
And verefyed.
Here by a fergeaunt late.
[i]
That thriftly was.
Or he coulde pas,
Rapped about the pate,
Whyle that he would
See how he could,
A little play the frere :
Now yf you wyll,
Knowe how it fyll,
Take hede and ye (hall here.
It happed fo.
Not long ago,
A thrifty man there dyed.
An hundred pounde.
Of nobles rounde.
That had he layd a fide :
His fonne he wolde.
Should haue this golde.
For to beginne with all :
But to fuffife
His chylde, well thrife.
That money was to fmal.
Yet or this day
1 have hard fay.
That many a man certefle,
Hath with good cafl,
Be ryche at laft.
That hath begonne with lefle.
But this yonge manne,
So well beganne,
His money to imploy.
That certainly.
His policy.
To fee it was a joy.
For
THE HISTORY OF THE
For left fum blaft,
Myght ouer raft.
His (hip, or by mifchauncc,
Men with fum wile,
Myght hym begyle.
And mini(h his fubftaunce,
For to put out.
All mancr dout.
He made a good puruay.
For euery whyt.
By his owne wyr,
And toke an other way :
Firft fayrc and wele,
Therof much dele.
He dygged it in a pot,
But then him thought.
That way was nought.
And there he left it not.
So was he faine.
From thence agayne.
To put it in a cup.
And by and by,
Couetoufly,
He fupped it fayre vp.
In his owne brcft.
He thought it bcft.
His money to cnclofe,
Therv wift he well,
"What euer fell,
He coulde it neuer lofe.
He borrowed then,
Of other men,
Money and marchaundife :
Neuer payd it.
Up he laid it.
In like maner wyfe.
Yet on the gere.
That he would were,'
He reight not what he fpent.
So it were nyce.
As for the price.
Could him not mifcontent.
"With lufty fporte,
And with rclort,
Of ioly company,
In mirth and play.
Full many a day.
He liU'.d merely.
And men had fworne.
Some man is borne.
To haue a lucky howre.
And fo was he.
For fuch dcgrc,
He gat and fuche honour.
That without dour,
"Whan he went our, ^
A fergcaunt well and fayrc,
Was redy ftrayte.
On him to wayte.
As fone as on the mayre.
But he doubtlefTe,
Of his mckcnefrc.
Hated fuch pompc and pride.
And -would not go,
Companicd fo.
But drewe himfelf a fide.
To faint Kaiharin?,
Strei^ as a line.
He gate him at a tyde.
For deuocion.
Or promocion.
There would he nedcs abyde.
There fpent he f^ft,
Till all were paft.
And to him came there meny.
To afke theyr debt.
But none could get.
The valour of a peny.
With vifage ftout,
He bare it our,
Euen vnto the harde hedge,
A month or twaine,
Tyll he was fayne.
To lay his gowne to pledge.
Than was he there.
In greater feare.
Than ere that he came thither.
And would as fayne.
Depart againe.
But that he wift not whither.
Than after this.
To a frende of his,
He went and there abode,
Where as he lay.
So fick alway.
He myght not come abrcde.
It happed than,
A marchaunt man.
That he ought money tro.
Of an officere,
That gan enquere.
What him was bcft to do.
And he anfwerde.
Be not aferde.
Take an accion thcrfore,
I you belicrte,
I ftiall hym rcfte.
And than carc for no more.
I feare qviod he.
It wyll not be.
For he wyll not come out.
The fergc,!unt faid.
Be not afra\d.
It ftiall be brought about.
In many a game,
Lyke to the fame,
Haue I bene well in vre.
And for your fake.
Let me be bake.
But yf I do this cure.
Thus part they both.
And foorth then goth,.
A pace this officere.
And for a day.
All his array.
He chaunged with a frcre.
So was he dight,
That no man might,
Hym for a frere deny.
He doppcd and dooked.
He fp>ike and looked.
So religioofly.
Yet in a glafle.
Or he would pafie.
He toted and he peered,'
His harte for pryde,
Lepte in his fyde.
To fee how well he freeied.
Than forth a pace.
Unto the place.
He goeth withouten ftiame
To do this dede.
But now take hede.
For here begynneth the game.
He drew hym ny.
And foftely,
Streyght at the dore he knocked :
And a damfeil,
That hard hym well.
There came and it vnlocked.
The frere fayd.
Good fpede fayre mayd.
Here lodgeth fuch a man,
It is told me :
Well fyr quod flie.
And yf he do what than.
Qiiod he mayftrefTe,
No harm doutieffe :
It longeth for our order.
To liurt no man.
But as we can,
Euery wight to forder.
With hym truly,
Fayne fpeake would I.
Sir quod flie by my fay.
He is fo fike.
Ye be not lyke.
To fpeake with hym to day.
Qiiod he fayrc may.
Yet I you prjy.
This muclr at my defire,
Vcucliefafc
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
Vouchefafe to do,
As go hym to.
And fay an auften frere
Would with hym Tpeke,
And matters breake.
For his auayle certayn.
Quod fhe I wyll,
Stonde ye here ftyll,
Tyll 1 come dovvne agayn.
Vp is (he go.
And told hym fo,
As fhe was bode to fay.
He miftruftyng,
No maner thyng,
Sayd mayden go thy way.
And fetch him hyder.
That we togyder.
May talk. A downe (he goth
Vp fhe hym brought.
No harme (he thought.
But it made fome foike wrothe,
This officere.
This fayned frere.
Whan he was come aloft,
He dopped than,
And grece this man,
Religioudy and oft.
And he agayn,
Ryght glad and fayn,
Toke hym there by the hande.
The frere than fayd.
Ye be difmayd.
With trouble I underllande.
In dede quod he.
It hath with me,
Bene.better than it is.
Syr quod the frere.
Be of good cherr.
Yet (hall it after this.
But I would now,
Comen with you,
In counfayle yf you pleafe,
Or ellys nac
Of matters that.
Shall fet your heart at cafe.
Downe went the mayd.
The marchauni fayd.
No fay on gentle frere,
Of thys tydyng.
That ye me bryng,
I tong full fore to here.
Whan there was none,
But they alone,
The frere with cuyll gracp,
Sayd, I reft the.
Come on with me.
And out he toke his mace :
Thou (halt obay.
Come on thy way,
I have the in my douche.
Thou goeft not hence.
For all the penfe
The mayre hath in his pouche.
This marchaunt there.
For wrath and fere,.
He waxyng welnygh wood,
Sayd horlbn thefe,
Witli a mifchefc.
Who hach taught thee thy good.
And with his filb,
Vpon the lyft,
e. He gaue hym fuch a blow.
That backward downe,
Almoft in fowne.
The frere is ouerthrow.
Yet was this man.
Well fearder than.
Left he the frere had flayne.
Till with good rappes.
And heuy clappes.
He dawde hym vp agayne.
The frere toke harte.
And vp he ftarte.
And well he layde about,
And fo there goth,
Bctwene them both.
Many a lufty clout.
They rent and tcre,
Eche others here.
And claue togyder faft,
Tyll with luggyng.
And with tuggyng.
They fell downe bothe at laft.
Than on the grounde,
Togyder rounde.
With many a fadde ftroke.
They roll and rumble.
They turne and tumble.
As pygges do in a poke.
So long aboue.
They heus and (houe,
Togider that at laft.
The mayd and wyfc.
To breake the ftrife,
Hyed ihem vpward fafl-.
And whan they fpye,
The captaynes lye.
Both wahring on the place.
The freres hood.
They pulled a good,
Adowne about his face.
Whyle he was blynde.
The wenche behynde.
Lent him leyd on'^he flore,
M;'.ny a ioule.
About the noule.
With a great batyldore.
The wyfe came yet.
And with her fete.
She holpe to kepe him downe.
And with her rocke.
Many a knocke.
She gaue hym on the crowne.
They layd his mace.
About his face.
That he was wood for payne :
The fryre frappe,
Gate many a fwappe,
Tyll he was full nygh flayne.
Vp they hym life.
And with yll thrift,
Hedlyng a long the ftayre,
Downe they hym threwe.
And fayde adewe,
Commcnde us to the mayre.
The frere arofe.
But I fuppofe,
Amafed was his hed.
He Pnoke his eares.
And from grcte feares.
He thought hym well yfled.
Qiiod he now loft.
Is all this coft.
We be neuer the nere.
Ill mote he be.
That caufcd me.
To make my felf a frere.
Now mafters all.
Here now I ftiall,
Ende there as I began.
In any wyfe,
1 would auyfe.
And counfayle euery man,
His owne craft vfe.
All newe rcfufe.
And lyghtly let them gone:
Play not the frere.
Now make good chere.
And welcome euerych one.
[ij 2
A ruful
THE HISTORY OF THE
A ruful lamentacion (writcn by maftcr Thomas
More in his youth) of the dcth of quene Elifa-
beth mother to king Henry the eight, wife to
king Henry the feucnth, and the cldeft doughter
to king Edward the fourih, which quene Elifa-
bcth dyed in childbed in February in the yere of
our Lord 1503, and in the 18 yere of the raigne
of king Henry the feucnth.
/^ Y li that put your truft and confidence,
^^ In worldly ioy and frayle profperiie.
That fo lyue here as ye (hould neuer hence,
Remember death and loke here vppon me.
Enfaumple I thynke there may no better be.
Your felfc wottc well that in this realme was T,
Your quene but late, and lo now here I lye.
Was I not borne of olde worthy linage ?
Was not my mother quecne my father kyng ?
Was I not a kinges fere in marriage ?
Had I not plenty of euery plcafaunt thyng ?
Mercifull god this is a ftraunge reckenyng :
Rychcffc-, honour, welth, and aunceftry.
Hath me forfaken and lo now here I ly.
If worfhip myght haue kept me, I had not gone.
If wyt myght haue me faued, I neded not fere.
If money myght haue holpe, I lacked none.
But O good God what vayleth all this gere.
When dtth is come thy mighty mefTangcre,
Obey we muft there is no remedy.
Me hath he fommoned, and lo now here I ly.
Yet was I late promifed otherwyfe.
This yere to liue in welth and delice.
Lo where to commeth thy blandifhyng promyfe,
O falfe aftrolagy and deuynatrice.
Of goddes fecretes makyng thy felfe fo wyfe.
How true is for this yere thy prophecy.
The yere yet lafteth, and lo now here I ly.
O bryttil welth, as full of bitternefle.
Thy fingle pleafure doubled is with payne.
Account my forow firft and my diftrefTe,
In fondry wyfe, and recken there agayne.
The ioy that I haue had, and I dare fayne.
For all my honour, endured yet haue ly,
More wo than welth, and lo now here 1 ly.
Where are our cartels, now where are our towers.
Goodly Rychmonde foiie arc thi)U gone from me,
Al Weftminfter that coftly worke of yours,
Myne owne derc lorde now (hall I neuer fee.
Almighty god vouchefafe to graunt that ye.
For you and your children well may edety.
My paly.e bylded is, and lo now here I ly.
Adew myne owne dcre fpoufe my worthy lorde,
The faithfull loue, that dyd vs both combyne.
In mariagc and peafable concorde.
Into your han.ies here 1 clcane refyne.
To be beftowed vppon your children and myne.
Erft wer you father, and now muft ye fupply.
The mothers part alfo, for lo now here 1 ly.
Farewell my doughter lady Margerete.
God wotce full oft it greucd huh my mynde,
That ye fliould go where we fliould feldome metCt
Now am 1 gone, and haue left you behynde.
O mortall folke that we be very blyndc.
That we leaft feare, full oft it is moft nyc.
From you depart I fyrft, and lo now here I ly.
Farewell Madame my lordes worthy mother.
Comfort your fonne, and be ye of good chere.
Take all a worth, for it will be no nother.
Farewell my doughter Katherine late the fere,
To prince Arthur myne owne chyld fo dere.
It booteth not for me to wepe or cry.
Pray for my foule, for lo now here I ly.
Adew lord Henry my louyng fonne adew.
Our lorde encreafe your honour and eftate,
Adew my doughter Mary bright of hew,
God make you vertuous wyfe and fortunate.
Adew fwete hart my litle doughter Kate,
Thou (halt fwete babe fuche is thy defteny.
Thy mother neuer know, for lo now here I ly.
Lady Cicyly Anne and Katheryne,
Farewell my welbeloved fillers three,
0 lady Briget other fifter myne,
Lo here thcende of worldly vanitee.
Now well are ye that earthly foly fiee.
And heuenly thynges loue and magnify.
Farewell and pray for me, for lo now here I ly,
A dew my lordes, a dew my ladies all,
A dew my faithful feruauntes euerych one,
A dew my commons whom 1 neuer fliall,
See in this world wherfore to the alone.
Immortal! god verely three and one,
1 me conimende. Thy infinite mercy.
Shew to thy feruant, for lo now here I ly.
Certain meters in Englilh written by mafter Thomas
More in hys youth for the boke of fortune, and
caufed them to be printed in the begynnyng of
that boke.
The wordes of Fortune to the people.
TV/TINE high eftate power and audtoritie,
■^ ■*■ If \e ne know, enferche and ye (hall fpye.
That riche{re, worfhip, welth, and dignirie,
Joy, reft, and peace, and all thyng fynally.
That any pleafure or profit may come by.
To mannes comfort, ayde, and fuftinaunce.
Is all at my deuyfe and ordinaunce.
Without my fauour there is nothyng wonne.
Many a matter haue I brought at laft,
To good conckifion, that fondly was begonne.
And many a purpofe, bounden fure and taft
With wife prouifion, I haue ouercaft.
Without good happe there may no wit fufEfe.
Better is to be fortunate than wyfe.
And
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
And therefore hath there fome men bene or this.
My deadly foes and written many a boke.
To my diiprayfe. And other caufe there nys.
But for me hft not fiendly on them loke.
Thus lyke the fox they fare that once iorfoke,
The pleafaunt grapes, and gan for to defy them,
Becaufe he Icpt and yet could not come by them.
But let them write thcyr labour is in vayne.
For well ye wote, myrth, honour, and ticheffe.
Much better is than penury and payne.
The nedy wretch that iihgereth in diftrefle.
Without myne helpe is euer comfortlefle,
A wery burden odious and loth.
To all the world, and eke to him felfe both.
But he that by my fauour may afcende.
To mighty power and excellent degree,
A common wele to gouerne and dcfendc,
O in how blift condition ftandeth he:
Him felf in honour and fclicite,
And ouer that, may forther and increafe,
A region hole in ioyfull reft and peace.
Now in this poynt there is no more to fay,
Eche man hath of him fclf the gouernaunce.
Let euery wight than folowe his owne way.
And he that out of pouertee and mifchaunce.
Lift for to liue, and wyll him fclfe cnhaunce.
In wealth and richefle, come forth and wayie on
me.
And he that wyll be a beggar, let hym be.
Thomas More to them that truft in Fortune.
'T'HOU that art prowde of honour (hape or kynne,
"*• That hepeft vp this wretched worldes treafure.
Thy fingers ftirined with gold, thy tawny fkynne.
With freftj apparyle garnilhed out of meafure.
And weneft to haue fortune at thy plcafure,
Caft vp thyne eye, and loke how flipper chaunce,
llludeth her men with chaunge and varyaunce.
Sometyme ftie lokcth as louely fayre and bright,
As goodly Ucnus mother of Cupydc.
She becketh and ftie fmileth on eucry wight.
But this chere fayned, may not long abide.
There comcth a cloude, and farewell all our pryde.
Like any ferpcnt ftie beginneth to fwell.
And looketh as fierce as any fury of hell.
Yet for all that we brotle men are fayne,
(So wretched is our nature and fo blynde)
As foone as Fortune lift to laugh agayne,
With fayre countenaunce and difceitfull mynde.
To crouche and knele and gape after the wynde.
Not one or twayne but thoufandes in a rout,
Lyke fwarmyng bees come flickeryng her aboute.
Then as a bayte ftie bryngeth forth her ware,
Siluer, gold, riche perle, and precious ftone;
On whiche the mated people gafe and ftare.
And gape therefore, as dogges doe for the bone,
l^criune ac them laughctb, and in her trone
Amyd her treafure and waueryng rychefle,
Prowdly ftie houeth as lady and emprefic.
Faft by her fyde doth wery labour ftand.
Pale fere alfo, and forow all bewept,
Difdayn and hatred on the other hand.
Eke reftles watchefro flepe with trauayle kept.
His eyes drowfy and lokyng as he flept.
Before her ftandeth daunger and enuy.
Flattery, dyfceyt, mifchitfe and tiranny.
About her commeth all the world to begge.
He afl<e:h lande, and he to pas would bryng.
This toye and that, and all not worth an cgge:
He would in loue profper aboue all thyng:
He kneleth downe and would be made a kyng:
He forceth not fo he may money haue,
Though all the worlde accompt hym for a knauc.
Lo thus ye fee diucrs heddes, diuers wittes.
Fortune alone as diuers as they all,
Vnftable here and there among them flittesr
And at auenture downe her giftcs fall.
Catch who fo may ftie throweth great and fmall
Not to all men, as commeth fonne or dewe.
But for the moft part, all among a fewe.
And yet her brotell giftes long may not laft.
He that ftiegaue them, loketh prowde and hyc.
She whirlth about and pluckth away as faft.
And geueth them to an other by and by.
And thus from man to man continually.
She vfeth to geue and take, and flily tofle.
One man to wynnyng of an others lofte.
And when ftie robbeth one, down goth his pryde.
He wepeth and wayleth and curfeth her full fore.
But he that receueth it, on that other fyde.
Is glad, and blefth her often tymes therefore.
But in a whyle when ftie loueth hym no more»
She glydeth from hym, and her giftes to.
And he her curfeth, as other fooles do.
Alas the folyfti people can not ceafe,
Ne voyd her trayne, tyll they the harme do fele.
About her alway, befely they preace.
But lord how he doth thynk hym felf full wele.
That may fct once his hande vppon her whele.
He holdeth faft: but vpward as he flieth.
She whippeth her whele about, and there he lyeth.
Thus fell Julius from his mighty power.
Thus fell Darius the worthy kyng of Perfe.
Thus fell Alexander the great conquerour.
Thus many mo then I may well reherfe.
Thus double fortune, when flie lyft reuerfe
Her flipper fauour fro them that in her truft.
She fieeth her wey and leyeth them in the duft.
She fodeinly enhaunceth them aloft.
And fodeynly mifcheueth all the flocke.
The head that late lay eafily and full loft.
In ftede of pylows lyeth after on the blocke.
And yet alas the moft crucll proude mocker
1 he deynty mowth that ladyes kifled haue.
She bryngeth in the cafe to kyCfe a knaue.
In
THE HISTORY OF THE
In chaungyngof her courfe, the chaunge {hcwth
tRis,
Vp ftartth a knaue, and downe there faith a knight,
The beggar ryche, and the ryche man pore is.
Hatred is turned to loue, loue to defpyght.
This is her fporr, thus proueth fhe her myght.
Great bode flie maketh yf one be by her pov/cr,
Wclthy and wretched both within an howre.
I'oucrtec that of her giftcs wyl nothing take,
"Wyth mery chere, looketh vppon the prece.
And feeth how fortunes houlhold goeth to wrake.
Faft by her ftandeth the wyfe Socrates,
Arriftippus, Pythagoras, and many a Icfe,
Of olde philofophcrs. And eke agaynft the fonnc
Btrkyth hym poors Diogenes in his tonne.
With her is Byas, whofe countrey lackt defence,
And whylom of their foes ftode fo in dout.
That eche man hartely gan to cary thence.
And afked hym why he nought caryed out.
1 bere quod he all myne with me about:
Wiledom he ment, not fortunes brotle fees.
For nought he counted his that he might leefe.
Heraclitus eke, lyft felowfliip to kepe
With glad pouertee, Democritus alio:
Of which the fyrfl: can neuer ceafe but wepe,
To fee how thick the blynded people go,
"With labour great to purchafe care and wo.
That other laughcth to fee the foolyfh apes,
How earneftly they walk about theyr capes.
Of this poore fcft, it is comen vfage,
Onely to take that nature may foftayne,
Binilhing cleane all other furplufage.
They be content, and of nothyng complayne.
No nygarde eke is of his good lo fayne.
But they more ple^fure haue a thoufande folde,
'1 he i'ecrete draughtes of nature to beholde.
Set fortunes lervauntes by them and ye wull,
Ti.at one is free, that other euer thrall.
That one content, that other neuer full,
'I'hat one in furetye, that other lyke to fall.
"Who lyrt to adiiile them bothe, parceyue he (hall.
As great difference between them as we fee,
Betv.ixte wretchcdnes and fciicite.
No.ve haue I fhewed you bothe: thefe whiche ye
lyft.
Stately fortune, or humble poucrtec:
That is to fay, nowe lyeth it in your fyft.
To take here bondag'e, or free liberiee.
But in thys poynte and ye do after me,
Dr.iw you to fortune, and labour her to pleafe,
If that ye thynke your fclfe to well at eafe.
And fyrft vppon the louely (hall (he fmile,
And frcndlv on the caft her wandering eyes
Embrace the in her armes, and for a whyle,
Put the and kepe the in a foolcs paradifc:
And foorth with all whit fo thou lyft deuife.
She wyll the graunt it liberally perhappes :
But for all that beware of after clappcs.
Recken you neuer of her fauoure fure:
Ye may in clowds as eafily trace an hare.
Or in drye lande caufe fiflies to endure.
And make the burnyng fyrc his hcate to fpare.
And all thys worlde in compace to forfare,
As her to make by craft or engine (lable.
That of her nature is euer variable.
Serue her day and nyght as reuerently,
Vppon thy knees as any feru^unt may.
And in conclufion, that thou flialt winne thereby
Shall not be worth thy fervyce I dare fay.
And looke yet what Ihe geueth the lo day.
With labour wonne (he (hall happly to morow
Plucke it agayne out of thyne hand with forow.
Wherefore yf thou in furetye lyft to ftande.
Take pouerties parte and let prowde fortune go-,
Receyue nothyng that commeth from her hande.
Loue maner and vertue: they be onely tho.
Whiche double fortune may not take the fro.
Then may ft th6u boldly defye her turnyng chaunce :
She can the neyther hynder nor auaunce.
But and thou wylt nedes medie with her treafure/
Truft not therein, and fpende it liberally.
-Beare the not proude, nor take not out of meafure.
Bylde not thyne houfe on heyth vp in the (kye.
Nonne falleth farre, but he that climbeth hye.
Remember nature fent the hyther bare.
The gyftes of fortune count them borowed ware.
Thomas More to them that fcke Fortune.
\
WHO {o delyteth to prouen and aCfay,
Of waveryng fortune the vncertayne lot,
If that the aunfwere pleafe you not alway.
Blame ye not tne: for I commaunde you nor.
Fortune to truft, and eke full well ye vvor,
I haue of her no brydle in my lift,
She rcnneth loofe, and turnetn where (lie lyft.
TheroUyngdyfe inwhomeyourluckedothltande.
With whole vnhappy chaunce ye be fo wroth.
Ye knowe your felfe came neuer in myne hande.
Lo in rjiis ponde be fydie and frogges both.
Caft in your nette : but be you liefe or lotiie.
Hold you content as fortune lyft ailyne:
For it is your owne fylhyng and not myne.
And though in one chaunce fortune you oftcnd.
Grudge not there at, but beare a mery face.
In many an other Ihe (hall it amende.
There is no manne fo farre out of her grace.
But he Ibmetyme hath comfort and folace:
Ne none agayne fo farre foorth in her fauour.
That is full fatisfyed with her behauiour.
Fortune is llately, folemne, prowde, and hye:
And rychelTe geueth, to haue feruyce therefore.
The nedy begger catcheth an halfpeny.
Some manne a thoufande pounde, fome lefie feme
more.
But for all chat (he kepcth euer in (lore.
From
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
From euery manne fome parcell of his wyl!.
That he may pray therfore and ferue her ftyll.
Some manne hath good, but-chyldren hath he
none.
Some manne hath both, but he can get none health.
Some hath al thre, but vp to honours trone,
Can he not crepe, by no maner of ftelth.
'J"o fome fhe fendt-ih, children, ryches, welthe.
Honour, woorfhyp, and reuerence all hys lyfe:
But yet fhe pynchech hym with a fhrewde wyfe.
Then for afmuch as it is fortunes guyfe.
To graunt to manne all thyng that he wyll axe.
But as her felfe lyft order and deuyfe,
Toth eucry manne his parte diuide and tax,
1 counlayle you eche one trufTe vp your packes.
And take no thyng at all, or be content.
With fnche rcvvarde as fortune hath you fent.
All thynges in this boke that ye fhall rede.
Doe as ye lyft, there Jhall no manne you bynde.
Them to beleue, as furely as your crede.
But notwithltandyng certes in my mynde,
I durft well fwere, as true ye (hall them fynde.
In euery poynt eche anfwere by and by.
As are the iudgementes of aftronomye.
R'
The Defcripcion of Richard the thirde.
ICHARDE the third fonne, of whom we
nowe entrcate, was in witte and courige egall
with cither of ihem, in bodye and prowefle farre
vnder them bothe, little of ftature, ill fetured of
limmes, croke backed, his left (boulder much
higher than his right, hard fauoured of vifage, and
fuch as is in ftates called warlye, in other menne
otherwife, he was malicious, wrathfull, cnuious,
and from afore his binh, euer frowarde. It is for
trouth reported, that the duches his mother had fo
much a doe in her trauaile: that fhee coulde not
bre deliuered of hym vncutte, and that he came
into the world with the feete forwarde, as menne
bee borne outwarde, and (as the fame runneth) alfo
not vntothed, whither menne of hatred reporte
aboue the trouthe, or elles that nature chaungcd
her courfe in hys beginninge, whiche in the courfe
of his lyfe many thinges vnnaturallye committed.
None euill captaine was hce in the warre, as to
whiche his difpoficion was more metcly then for
peace. Sundrye viftories hadde hee, and fomme-
time ouerthrowes, but neuer in defaulte as for his
owne parfone, either of hardineffe or polytike order,
free was hee called of dyfpence, and fommcwhat
aboue hys power liberall, with large giftes hee get
him vnftedfarte frendelhippe, for whiche hee was
fain to pil and fpoyle in other places, and get him
p ...u a t-ijtrt-d, Hee was dole and fecrete, a deepe
< T, lowlye of'couiiteynaunce, arrogant of
heart, outwardly coumpinable where he inwardf ly
hated, not letting to kifle whome he thoughte to
k\l!: difpitious and crucll, not for euill will alway,
but after for ainbicion, and either for the I'uretie arvd
encreafe of his eftate. Frende and foo was muche
what indificrent, where his aduauntage grew, he
fpared no mans deathe, whofe life withltoode his
purpofe. He flewe with his owne handes king
Henry the fixt, being piiloner in the Tower, as
menne ccnftantly fayc, and that without com-
maundemcnt or knoweledge of the king, whiche
woulde vndoubtedly yf he had entended thatthinge^
haue appointed that boocherly office, to foirie other
then his owne borne brother.
Somme wife menne alfo weene, that his drift
couertly conuayde, lacked not in helping furth his
brother of Clarence to his death: whiche hee refifted
openly, howbcit fomwhat (as menne deme) more
faintly then he that wer hartely minded to his
welth. And they that thus dcnic, think that he
long time in king Edwardes life, forethought to be
king in that cafe the king his brother (whole life
hee looked that euil dyete Ihoulde (horten) flioulde
happen to deceafe (as in dede he did) while his
children wer yonge. And thci deme, that for thys
intente he was gladde of his brothers death the
duke of Clarence, whofe life muft nedes haue hin-
dered hym (o entendynge, whither the fame duke
of Clarence hadde kepte him, true to his nephew
the yonge king, or enterprifed to be kyng him-
felfe. But of al this pointe, is there no certain tie,
and whofo diuineih vppon conicdhures, maye as wel
fliote to farre as to fliort. Howbcit this h -ue I by
credible informacion learned, that the felfe nighte
in whiche kynge Edwarde died, one Myftlebrooke
longe ere mornynge, came in greate hafte to the
houle of one Pottyer dwellyng in Reddecroffe ftrete
without Crepulgate : and when he was with haftye
rappyng quickly Ictten in, hee fhcwed vnto P?ttyer
that kynge Edwarde was departed. By my trouthe
mjfhne quod Pettier then wyll my mayfter the duke
of Gloucefter bee kynge. What caufe hee hailde foo
to thynke hirde it is to faye, whyther hce being to-
ward him, anye thynge knewe that hee fuche tnynge
purpofed, or otherwyfe had anye inkclyngc thereof:
for hce was not likelye to fpeake it of noughte.
But nowe to recurne to the courfe of this hyftorye,
were it that the duke of Gloucefter hadde of old
fore-minded this conclufion, or was nowe at erfte
thereunto moued, and putte in hope by the occa-
fion of the tender age of the younge princes, his
nephues (as opportunitye and lykcly hoode of fpede,
putteth a manne in cdurage of -that hee neuer en-
tended) certayn is it that hee contriued theyr de-
ftruccion, with the vfurpacion of the regal dig-
nitye vppon hymfelfe. And for as muche as hee
well wifte and holpe to mayntayn, a long continued
grudge and hearce brennyngc bccwcnc the quenes
5 kinrpd
'THE HISTORY OF THE
kinred and the kinges blood eyther partye enuying
others authorityc, he nowe thought that their dc-
uifion ihoulde bee (as it was in dcdc) a fortherlye
begynnynge to the purfuite of his intente, and a
lure ground for the foundacion of al his building
yf he might firlle vnder the pretext of reucngynge
of olde diipleafure, abufe the anger and ygnorauncc
of the tone partie, to the deftruccion of the tother:
and then vvynne to this purpofe as manye as he
coulde: and thofe that coulde not be wonne, myght
be lode ere they looked therefore. For of one
thynge was hee certayne, that if his entente were
perceiued, he fhold loone haue made peace bee-
twene the bothe parties, with his owne bloude.
Kyngc Edwarde in his life, albeit that this dif-
cencion beetwene hys frendes fommewhat yrked
hym : yet in his good healthe he fommewhat the
Icflc regarded it, becaufe hee thought whatfocuer
bufines fliouldc falle betwene them, hymfelfe
Ihould alwaye bee hable to rule bothe the parties.
But in his laft ficknefie, when hee receiued his
natural! ftrengthe foo fore cnfebled, that hee dyf-
payred all recouerye, then hee confyderynge the
youthe of his chyldren, albeit hee nothynge lefle
miftrufted then that that happened, yet well for-
fcynge that manye harmes myghtc growe by theyr
debate, whyle the youth of hys children ihoulde
lackc difcrecion of themfclf, and good counfayle of
their frendes, of whiche either party (hold coun-
fayle for their owne commodity and rather byplea-
faunte aduyfe toowynne themfelfe fauour, then by
profitable aduertifemente to do the children good,
he called fome of them before him that were at
variaunce, and in efpecyall the lorde marques Dor-
fette the quenes fonne by her fyrlle houfebande,
and Richarde the lorde Haftynges, a noble man,
than lorde chaumberlayne agayne whome the quene
fpecially grudged, for the great fauoure the kyng
bare hym, and alio for that ihee thoughte hym fe-
cretclye familyer with the kyngc in wanton coom-
panye. Her kynred alio bare hym fore, as well
for that the kynge hadde made hym captayne of
Calyce (whiche oflke the lorde Ryuers, brother to
the quene, claimed of the kinges former promyfe)
as for diuerfe other great giftes whiche hee receyued,
that they loked for. \Vhen thefe lordes with di-
ueiTc other of bothe the parties were comaie in
prefence, the kynge liftinge vppe himfelfe and
vnderfettc with pillowcs, as it is reported on this
wyfe fayd vnto them, My iordcs, my dere kinf-
menne and alies, in what plighte I lye you fee, and
I feele. By whiche the lelTc whyle I lookc to
lyue with you, the more depelye am I moued to
care in what cafe I leaue you, for fuch as 1 leauve
you, fuche bee my children lyke to fynde you.
"Whiche if they (houlde (that Godde forbydde)
fynde you at varyaunce, myght happe to fall thtm-
felfe at warrc ere their difcrecion woulde ferue to
fette you at peace. Ye fee their youthe, of whiche
I recken the onely furetie to refte in youre con-
cord. For it fuffifeth not that al you loue them,
yf eche of you hate other. If they wer menne,
your faithfulneffe happelye woulde fuflife. But
childehood mull be maintained by mens authoritye,
and flipper youth vnderpropped with elder coun-
fayle, which neither they can haue, but ye geue it,
nor ye geue it, yf ye gree not. For wher eche la-
boureth to breake that the other maketh, and for
hatred of eche of others parfon, impugneth eche
others counfayle, there muft it nedes bee long ere
anye good conclufion goe forwarde. And alfo
while either partye laboureth to be chiefe, flattery
(hall haue more place then plaine and faithful! ad-
uyfe, of whyche mufte needes enfue the euyll bring-
ing vppe of the prynce, whofe mynd in tender
youth infedl, (hal redily fal to mifchief and riot, and
drawe down with this noble relme to ruine: but if
grace turn him to wifdom, which if God fend,
then thei that by euill menes before pleafed him
beft, (hal after fall fartheft out of fauour, fo that
cuer at length euil driftes dreue to nought, and
good plain wayes profper. Great variaunce hath
ther long bene betwene you, not alway for great
caufes. Sometime a thing right wel intended, our
mifconftruccion turneth vnto worfe or a fmal dif-
pleafure done vs, eyther our owne affeccion or euil
tongues agreueth. But this wote I well ye neucr
had fo great caufe of hatred, as ye have of loue.
That we be al men, that we be chrillen men, this
(hall I leave for prechers to tel you (and yet 1 wote
nere whither any prechers wordes ought more to
nioue you, then his that is by and by gooyng to
the place that thei all preache of.) But this (hal I
defire you to remember, that the one parte of you
is of my bloode, the other of myne alies, and eche
of yow with other, eyther of kinred or afhnitie,
which fpirytuall kynred of affynyty, if the facra-
mentes of Chriftes churche, beare that weyghte
with vs that would Godde thei did, flioulde no
IcfTe moue vs to charitye, then the refpeifle of
fleihlye confanguinitye. Oure Lorde forbydde, that
you loue together the worfe, for the felfe caufe that
you ought to loue the better. And yet that hap-
pcneth. And no where fynde wee fo deadlye de-
bate, as amonge them, whyche by nature and lawe
moltc oughte to agree together. Such a peftilcntc
ferpente is ambicion and defyre of vainc glorye and
foueraintye, whiche amonge ftatcs where he once
entreth crepeth foorth fo farre, tyll with deuifion
and variaunce hee turneth all to mifchiefe. Firfte
longing to be nexte the befl, aftcrwarde egall with
the belle, and at lafte chiefe and aboue the befte.
Of which immoderate appetite of woorfliip, and
thereby of debate and diflencion what lofle, what
Ibrowe,
ENGLISH LANGUA^^
E.
forowe, what trouble hathe within thefe feweyeares
growen in this realme, I praye Godde as wel for-
geate as wee wel remember.
Whiche thinges yf I coulde as wel haue forefene,
as I haue with my more payne then pleafure proucd,
by Goddes bleffed Ladk (that was euer his bthe)
1 woulde neuer haue won the courtefye of mennes
knees, with the lofle of foo many heades. But fithen
thynges pafled cannot be gaine called, muche oughte
wee the more beware, by what occafion we haue
taken foo greate hurte afore, that we eftefoones fall
not m that occafion agayne. Nowe be thofe griefes
pafled, and all is (Godde be thanked) quiete, and
Jikelie righte wel to profper in wealthfull peace
vnder youre cofeyns my children, if Godde fende
them life and you loue. Of whiche twoo thinges,
the lefTe lofle wer they by whome thoughe Godde
dydde hys pleafure, yet fhoulde the realme alway
finde kinges and paraducnture as good kinges. But
yf you among your felfe in a childcs reygne fall at
debate, many a good man fhall perifli and happcly
he to, and ye to, ere thys land finde peace again.
VVherfore in thefe lafl: wordes that euer 1 looke to
fpeak with you : 1 exhort you and require you al,
for the loue that you haue euer borne to me, for
the loue that I haue euer borne to you, for the loue
that our Lord beareth to vs all, from this time for-
warde, all grieues forgotten, eche of you loue
other. Whiche I verelye trufte you will, if ye any
thing earthly regard, either Godde or your king,
affinitie or kinrcd, this realme, your owne coun-
trey, or your owne furcty. And therewithal the
king no longer enduring to fitte vp, laide him
down on his right fide, his face towarde them: and
none was there prefent that coulde refrain from
weping. But the lordcs recomforting him with as
good wordes as they could, and anfwcring for the
time as thei thought to ftand with his pleafure,
there in his prefence (as by their wordes appercd)
eche forgaue other, and ioyned their hands toge-
ther, when (as it after appeared by their dedes)
their hearcs wer far a fonder. As fone as the king
was departed, the noble prince his fonne drew to-
ward London, which at the time of his deceafe,
kept his houfliold at Ludlow in Wales. Which
countrey being far of from the law and recourfe to
iuftice, was begon to be farre cute of good wyll
and waxen wild, robbers and riucrs walking at li-
bcrtic vncorreded. And for this encheafon the
prince was in the life of his father fcnte thither, to
the cnde that the authoritie of his prefence fliould
refraine euill difpofed parfons fro the holdnes of
their former outerages, to the gouernaunce and or-
dering of this yong prince at his fending thyther,
was there appointed Sir Anthony Woduile lord
Kiucrs and brother vnto the quene, a right ho-
nourable man, as valiaunte of hande as politike in
Vol. 1.
counfaylc Adioyned wer there vnto him other of
the fame partie, and in effcft euery one as he was
nereft of kin vnto the quene, fo was planted next
about the prince. That drifte by the quene not
vnvvifely deuifed, whereby her bloode mighte of
youth be rooted in the princes fauour, the duke of
Gloucefler turned vnto their defl:ruccion, and vpon
that groLinde fet the foundacion of all his vnhappy
building. For whom foeuer he perceiued, either
at variance wi?h them, or bearing himfelf their fauor,
hee brake vnto them, forne by mouth, fom by
writing or fecret melfengers, that it neyther was
reafon nor in any wife to be fuffered, that the yong
king their mafl:cr and kinfmanne, (hoold bee in the
handcs and cuftodye of his mothers kinred, fe-
quefl:red in maner from theyr compani and at-
tendance, of which eueri one ought him as faith-
ful fcruice as they, and manye of them far more
honorable part of kin then his mothers fide :
whofe blood (quod he) fauing the kinges pleafure,
was ful vnmetely to be matched with his; whiche
nowe to be as who fay remoued from the kyng,
and the leflTe noble to be left aboute him, is (quod
he) neither honorable to hys magefl:ie, nor vnto
V5, and alfo to his grace no furety to haue the
niightieftof his frendes from him, and vnto vs no
little ieopardy, to fuffer our welproued cuil willers,
to grow in ouergret authoritie with the prince in
youth, namely which is lighte of beliefe and fone
perfvvadcd. Ye remember 1 trow king Edward
himfelf, albeit he was a manne of age and of dif-
crecion, yet was he in manye thynges ruled by the
bende, more then (lode cither with his honour, or
our profite, or with the commoditie of any manne
els, except onely the immoderate aduauncemcnt of
them felfc. Whiche whither they forer thidled
after their owne weale, or our woe, it wer hard I
wene to geflJe. And if fome folkes frendfliip had
not holden better place with the king, then any re-
fpe6b of kinred, thei might peraduenture eafily
haue be trapped and brought to confufion fomme
of vs ere this. Why not as eafily as they haue
done fome other alreadye, as neere of his royal
bloode as we. But our Lord hath wrought his wil,
and thanke be to his grace that peril is paite. Howe
be it as great is growing, yf wee fuffer this yonge
kyng in oure enemyes hande, whiche without his
wyttyng, might abufe the name of histommaun-
dement, to ani of our vndoing, which thyng God
and good prouifion forbyd. Of which good pro-
uifion none of vs hath any thing the lefl"e ncde, for
the late made attonemente, in whiche the kinges
pleafure hadde more place then the parties wilies.
Nor none of vs I beleue is fo vnwyfe, oucrfone to
trufte a newe frende made of an olde foe, or to
think that an houerly kindnes, fodainely contradl in
one houre continued, yet fcant a fortnight, Ihold
Lk] be
THE HISTORY OF THE
be df per fetlcd in their ftomackcs : then a long
accuflomed malice many yercs rooted.
With thefe wordes and writynges and fuche other,
the duke of Gloucefter lone fet a fyre, them that
were of thcmfclf cihe to kindle, and in efpeciall
twayne, Edwardc duke of Buckingham, and Rich-
arde lordc Haftinges and chaumbcrlayn, both men
of honour and of great power. The cone by longe
fucceflion from his anceftrie, the tother by his office
and the kinges fauor. Thefe two n^Jyearing cche
to other fo muchc loue, as hatred bothe vnto the
quenes parte : in this poynte accorded together
wyth the duke of Gloacefter, that they wolde
vtterlye amoue fro the kinges companye, all his
mothers frendes, vnde'rthe name of their enemycs.
Vpon this concluded, the duke of Gloucefter vnder-
ftandyng, that the lordes whiche at that tyme were
aboute the kyng, entended to bryng him vppe to
his coronacion, accoumpanied with fuchc power of
theyr frendes, that ic fhoulde bee harde for hym to
brynge his purpofe to paflc, without the gathering
and great aflemble of people and in maner of open
■warre, whereof the ende he wide was doubtous,
and in which the kyng being on their fide, his part
fhould haue the face and name of a rebellion: he
fecretly therefore by diuers meanes, caufed the
quene to be perfwaded and brought in the mynd,
that it neither wcr nede, and alfo fhold be ieopard-
ous, the king to come vp ftrong. For where as
nowe euery lorde loued other, and none other thing
ftudyed vppon, but aboute the coronacion and ho-
noure of the king : if the lordes of her kinred
(hold aflemble in the kinges name muche people,
thei Ihould geue the lordes atwixte whome and
them haddc bene fommetyme debate, to fcare and
fufpedle, Icfte they fhoulde gather thys people, not
for the kynges faucgarde whome no manne em-
pugned, but for theyr dcftruccion, hauying more
rcgarde to their old variaunce, then their newe at-
tonement. For whiche caufe thei fhoulde aflemble
on the other partie muche people agayne for their
defence, whofe power (he wyfte wel farre ftretched.
And thus (hould all the realme fall on a rore. And
of al the hurte that therof fhould enfue, which was
likely not to be litle, and the moft harme there like
to fal wher (he left would, al the worlde woulde
put her and her kinred in the wyght, and fay that
thei had vnwyfelye and vntrewlye alfo, broken the
amitie and peace that the kyng her hufband fo pru-
denttlye made, betwene hyskinne and hers in his
death bed, and whiche the other party faithfully
obferucd.
The quene being in this wife perfwaded, fuche
woorde lent vnto her fonne, and vnto her brother
being aboute the kynge, and ouer that the duke of
Gloucefter hymltlfe and other lordes the chiefe of
hys bende, wrote vnto the kyhge foo rcuercntlye.
and to the queenes frendes there foo louyngelye,
that they nothyngeearthelye my ftruftynge, broughtc
the kynge vppe in greate hafte, not in good fpede,
with a fober coumpanye. Nowe was the king in
his waye to London gone, from Northampton,
when thefe dukes of Gloucefter and Buckynghann
came thither. Where remained behynd, the lordc
Riuers the kynges vncle, entendyng on the mo-
rowe to folow the kynge, and bee with hym at
Stonye Stratford miles thence, earcly or
hee departed. So was there made that nyghte
muche frendely chere betwene thefe dukes and the
lorde Riuers a greate while. But incontinente after
that they wereoppenlye with greate courtelye de-
parted, and the lorde Riuers lodged, the dukes
fecretelye with a fewe of their mode priuye frendes,
fette them downe in counfayle, wherin they fpent a
great parte of the nyght. And at their rifinge in the
dawnyng of the day, thei fent about priuily to their
feruantes in the innesand lodgynges about, geuinge
them commaundemente to make them felfe fhortely
readye, for their lordes wer to horfebackward.
Vppon whiche melTages, manyeof their folke were
aitendaunt, when manye of the lorde Riuers fer-
uantes were vnreadye. Nowe hadde thefe dukes
taken alfo into their cuftodye the kayesof the inne,
that none flioulde pafTe foorth without theyr li-
cence.
And ouer this in the hyghe waye toward Stonye
Stratforde where the kynge laye, they hadde bee-
ftowed certayne of theyr folke, that fhoulde fcnde
backe agayne, and compell to retourne, anye manne
that were gotten oute of Northampton toward
Stonye Stratforde, tyll they fhould geue other
lycence. For as muche as the dukes themfelfe en-
tended for the (hewe of theire dylygence, to bee the
fyrfte that (houldc that daye attende vppon the
kynges highnelTe oute of that towne : thus bare
they folke in hande. But when the lorde Ryuers
vnderflrode the gates clofed, and the wayes on cueryc
fide befette, neyther hys fcruauntes nor hymfelf fuf-
fcred to.gooute, parceiuyng well fo greaie a thyng
without his knowledge not begun for noughte,
comparyng this maner prefent with this laft nightcs
chere, in lb few houres fo gret a chaunge maruel-
ouflye mifliked. How be it fithe hee coulde not
geat awaye, and keepe himfelfe clofe, hee woulde
not, lefte he fhoulde feeme to hyde himfelfe for
fbme fecret feare of hys owne faulte, whereof he
faw no luch caufe in hym felf : he determined vppon
the furetie of his own confcience, to goe boldelye
to them, and inquire what this matter myghte
mcane. Whome as foone as they fa we, they be-
ganne to quarrell with hym, and faye, that hee in-
tended to fette diftaunce beetweenc the kynge and
them, and to brynge them to confulion, but it
fhoulde not lye in hys power. And when hee be-
6 ganne
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
ganne (as hee was a very well fpoken manne) in
goodly wife to excufe himfclf, they taryed not the
cndc of his aunfwere, but fhortely tooke him and
putte him in warde, and that done, foorthwyth
•wente to horfebacke, and tooke the waye to Stonye
Stratforde. Where they founde the kingc with his
companie readye to leape on horfebacke, and departe
forwarde, to leaue that lodging for them, becaufe it
was to ftreighte for bothe coumpanies. And as
fone as they came in his prefence, they lighte
adowne with all their rompanie aboute them. To
whome the duke of Buckingham faide, goe afore
gentlemenne and yeomen, kepe youre rowmes.
And thus in goodly arraye> thei came to the kinge,
and on theire knees in very humble wife, faiued his
grace; whiche receyued them in very ioyous and
amiable maner, nothinge eirthlye knowing nor
miftrullinge as yet. But euen by and by in his
prefence, they piked aquarell to the lorde Richarde
Graye, the kynges other brother by his mother,
fayinge that hee with the lorde marqu.s his brother
and the lorde Riuers his vncle, hadde coumpafled
to rule the kinge and the realme, and to fette vari-
aunce among the ftates, and to fubdcwe and de-
ftroye the noble blood of the realm. Toward the
accoumplifhinge whereof, they fayde that the lorde
Marques haddt- entered ioto the Tower of London,
and thence taken out the kinges treafor, and fent
menne to the fea. All whiche thinge thcfc duke*
wille well were done for good purpoles and neceflari
by the whole counfaile at London, fauing that
fommewhat thei muft fai. Vnto whiche woordes,
the king aunfwcred, what my brother Marques hath
done I cannot faie. But in good faith I dare well
aunfwere for myne vncle Riuers and my brother
here, that thei be innocent of any fuch matters.
Ye my liege quod the duke of Buckingham thei
haue kepte theire dealing in thefe matters farre fro
the knowledge of your good grace. And foorth-
with thei arretted the lord Richarde and Sir Thomas
Waughan knighte, in the kinges prefence, and
broughte the king and all backe vnto Northampton,
where they tooke againe further counfaile. And
there they fent awaie froni the kinge whom itpleafed
them, and fette newe feruantes aboute him, fuche as
lyked better them than him. At whiche dealinge
hee wepte and was nothing contente, but it booted
nor. And at dyner the duke of Gioucefler fente a
dilhefrom hisowne table to the lord Riuers, prayinge
him to bee of goodchere, all fhould be well inough.
And he thanked the duke, and prayed the meflenger
to bcare it to his nephewe the lorde Richarde with
tlie fame meffage for his comfort, who he thought
had more nede of coumfort, as one to whom fuch
aducrfitie was ftraunge. But himfclf had been al
his dayes in vre therewith, and therfore coulde
beare it the better. But for al this coumfortable
courtefye of the duke of Gloucefter he fent the
lord Riuers and the lorde Richarde with Sir Tho-
mas Vaughan into the Norrhe countrey into.diuers
places to prifon, and afterward al to Pomfrait,
where they were in conclufion beheaded.
A letter written with a cole by Sir Thomas More
to hysdougnxermaiftresMAR GAR etRoper, with-
in a whyle after he was prifoner in the Towre.
■jVyiYNE own good doughter, our lorde be
■^^^ thanked I am in good helthe of bodye, and
in good quiet of minde : and of worldly thynges I
no more defyer then I haue. I bcfeche hym make
you all mery in the hope of heauen. And fuch
thynges as I fomewhat longed to talke with you all,
concerning the worlde to come, our Lorde put theim
into your myndes, as I trufte he dothe and better to
by hys holy fpirite : who blefie you and preferue
you all. Wrnicn wyth a cole by your tender louing
father, who in hys pore prayers forgetteth none of
you all nor your babes, nor your nurfes, nor your
good hufbandes, nor your good hufbandes Ihrewde
wyues, nor your fathers flirewde wyfe neither, nor
our other frendes. And thus fare ye hartely well
for lacke of paper.
Thomas More, knight.
Two fliort ballettes which Sir Thomas More made
for hys paftyme while he was prifoner in the
Tower of London.
Lewys the loft louer.
E
Y flatering fortune, loke thou neuer fo fayre.
Or neuer fo plefantly begin to fmile.
As though thou wouldft my ruine all repayre,
During my life thou fhalt not me begile.
Truft (hall 1 God, to entre in a while.
Hys hauen or heauen fure and vniforme.
Euer attcr thy calme, loke I for a (lorme.
Dauy the dycer.
1" O N G was 1 lady Luke your feruing man,
And now haue loft agayne all that 1 gat,
Wherfore whan I thinke on you nowe and than,
And in my mynde refiicmber this and that.
Ye may not blame me though 1 beftirew your cat.
But in fayth I bleflc you agayne a ihoufand times.
For lending me now fome laylurc to make rymes.
At the fame time with Sir Thomas Mere lived
Skelten, the poet laureate oi Henry Vlll. from whofc
L^] 2 works.
THE HISTORY OF THE
works it fcems proper to infcrt a few ftanzas, though
he cannot be faid lo have attained great elegance of
language.
The prologue to the Bougc of Courte.
TN Auturnpne whan the fonne in vjrrgyne
■*■ By radyante hete enryped hath our corne
When Luna full of mutabylytc
As Emperes the dyndcme hath worof
Of our pole artyke, fmylynge halfe in fcorne
At our foly and our v: Itedfaftnefle
The tinnc whan Mars to warre hym dyd dres,
I callynge to mynde the grcate auftorytc
Of poeces olde, whiche full craftely
Vnder as couerte termes as coulde be
Can touche a trouth, and cloke fubtylly
With fresfhe vtteraunce full fentcncyoully
Dyuerfe in ftyle feme fpared not vycc to wryte
Some of mortalitie nobly dyd cndyte
Whereby I rede, thcyr renome and theyr fame
May neuer dye, but eucrmore endure
I was fore moued to a forfe the fame
But ignoraunce full foone dyd me dyfcure
And (hewed that in this al^c I was not fure
For to illumine (he fayd I wjs to duUe
Aduyfynge me my penne awaye to pulle
And not to wryte, for he fo wyll atteync
Excedyng ferther than his connynge is
His heed maye be harde, but feble is brayne
Yet haue I knowen fuche er this
But of rcproche furely he maye not mys
That clymmeth hycr than he may fotinge haue
What and he flyde downe, who (hall him faue ?
Thus vp and downe my mynde was drawen and
caft
That I ne wyfte what to do was befte
So fore enwered that I was at the lafte
Enforfed to flepe, and for to take fome refte
And to lye downe as foone as I my drefte
At Harwyche porte flumbrynge as I hye
In myne hoftes houfe called powers keye.
Of the wits that flourilhed in the reign of
Henry VIII. none has been more frequently cele-
brated than the earl of Surry ; and this hiftory would
therefore have been imperfed without fome fpeci-
mens of his works, which yet it is not eafy to diftin-
gui(h from thofe of Sir Thomas li^yat and others,
with which they are confounded in the edition that
has fallen into my hands. The three firft are, I
believe, i'wrr/s \ the re(l, being of the fame age,
are fcxfted, (bme as examples of different meafurcs,
and one as the oldett Compofition whi.h I have
found in blank verfe.
Defcription of Spring, wherein echc thing rcnewcs,
fave only the lover.
'T' H E foote feafon that bud, and bloome fourth
"'■ bringes,
With grcne hath cladde the hyll, and eke the vale.
The Nighringall with fethcrs new flie finges j
The turtle to her mate hath told the talc :
Somer is come, for every fpray now fpringes.
The hart hath hunge hys olde head on the pair.
The bucke in brake his winter coate he flyngcs ;
The (ifhes flete with newc repayred fcale :
The adder all her Hough away (lie flynge?.
The fwift fwallow purfueth the flyes fmalle.
The bufy bee her honey how (he mynges i
Winter is worne that was the flourcs bale.
And thus I fee among thefc pleafant thynges
Eche care decayes, and yet my forrow fpryiifres.
Defcripcion of the reftlefs eftate of a lover.
W
HEN youth had led me half the race.
That Cupides fcourge had made me runnej
I looked back to meet the place.
From whence my weary courfe begunne :
And then I faw howe my delyre
Mifguiding me had led the waye,
Myne eyne to greedy of theyre hyre,
Had made me lofe a better prey.
For when in fighes I fpcnt the day,
And could not cloake my grief with game ;
The boyling fmokedyd ftill bewray.
The prelent heat of fecret flame :
And when fait teares do bayne my breaft.
Where love his plealent traynes hath fown.
Her beauty hath the fruytcs oppreft.
Ere that the buddes were fpron gc and blowne.
And when myne eyen dyd Hill purfue.
The flying chafe of theyre requefl: ;
Theyre greedy looks dyd oft renew.
The hydden wounde within my brefte.
When every loke thefe cheekes might ftayne.
From dcdly pale to glowing red ;
By outward fignes appeared playne.
To her for heipe my harte was fled.
But all to late Love learneth me.
To paynt all kynd of Colours new ;
To blynd theyre eyes that elfe fliould fee
My fpeckled chekes with Cupids hew.
And now the covert brc(t I clame.
That worfhipt Cupide fecretely j
And nourifhed hys facred flame.
From whence no blairing fparks do flye.
Defcripcion
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
Defcripcion of the fickle AfFedions, Pangs, and
Sleightes of Love.
CUCH wayward wayes hath Love, that moft part
•^ in dilcord
Our willes <io (land, whereby our hartes but fel-
dom do accord :
Decyte is hysdelighte, and to begyle and mocke
The fimple hartes which he doth ftrike with fro-
ward divers ftroke.
He caufeth th' one to rage with golden burning
darte.
And doth alay with Leaden cold, again the others
harte.
Whofe gleames of burning fyre and eafy fparkes of
flame.
In balance of unequal weyght he pondereth by ame
From eafye ford where 1 tnyghte wade and pafs full
well.
Heme withdrawes and doth me drive, into a depe
dark hell:
And me witholdes where I am calde and offred place.
And willes me that my mortal foe 1 do befcke of
Grace j
He lettes me to purfue a conqueft welnere wonne
To follow where my paynes were loft, ere that my
fute begunne.
So by this means i know how foon a hart may turne
From warre to peace, from truce to ftryfe, and fo
agayne returne.
I know how to content my fclf in others luft.
Of little Ituffe unio my Iclf to weave a webbe of
truft :
And how to hyde my harmes with fole dyflembling
chere.
Whan in my face the painted thoughtes would out-
wardly appeare.
I knot* how that the bloud forfakes the face for
dred.
And how by fliime it ftaynes agayne the Chckes
with flaming red :
I know under the Grene, the Serpent howhelurkes :
The hammer of the reftlefs forge 1 wote eke how it
workes.
I know and con by roate the tale that I woulde tell
But oftc the woordes come fourth awrye of him that
loveth well.
I know in hcate and colde the Lover how he (hakes.
In fynging how he doth complayne, in flecping how
he v.. kes
To languifli without ache, fickelelTe for to confume,
A thoufand thynges for to devyfc, rclblvyngeof his
fume ;
And though he lyfte to fee his Ladyes Grace full
lore
Such pleafurcs as delyght hys Eye, do not his heiihc
reftorc.
I know to fcke the trafte of my defyred foe.
And fere to fynde that 1 do feek, but chiefly this I
know,
That Lovers muft transfourme into the thynge be-
loved.
And live (alas ! who would believe ?) with fprite
from Lyfe removed.
I knowe in harty (ighesand laughters of the fpleene,
At once to chaunge my ftate, my will, and eke my
colotfl- clene.
I know how to deceyve my felf wythe others helpe.
And how the Lyon chaftiled is, by beatynge of the
whelpe.
In ftandyngc nere the fyre, I know how that I freafe ;
Farre of I burne, in bothe I wafte, and fo my Lyfe
I leefe.
I know how Love doth rage upon a yeyldingmynde.
How fmalle a nete may take and male a harte of
gentle kyndc :
Or elfe with feldom fwete to feafon hepes of gall.
Revived with a glympfe of Grace old lorrowes to
let fall.
The hydden traynes I know, and fecret fnares of
Love,
How foone a loke will prynte a thoughte that never
may remove.
The flypper ftate I know, the fodein turnes from
welthe
The doubtfuU hope, the certaine wooe, and fure
defpaired helthe.
A praife of his ladie.
/^EVE place you ladies and be gone,
^-^ Boaft not your felves at all.
For here at hande approcheth one,
Whofe face will ftayne you all.
The vertue of her lively lookes
Excels the precious ftone,
I wifhe to have none other bookes
To reade or look upon.
In eche of her two chriftall eyes,
Smyleth a naked boy -,
It would you all in heart fuffife
To fee that lampe of joye.
I think nature hath loft the moulde.
Where (he her ftiape did take;
Or elfe 1 doubte if nature coulde
So fayre a creature make.
She may be well comparde
Unto the Phenix kinde,
Whofe like was never feene nor heard,
That any man can fynde.
In lyfe (he is Diana chalt
In trouth Penelopey,
In woord and eke in dede ftedfaft j
What will you more we fay ;
If
THE HISTORY OF THE
If all the world were fought fo farre.
Who coulJ findc fuche a wight,
Hier beaury twinkleth lykc a ftarre
"Within the frofty night.
The Lover rcfufed of his love, embraccth vertue.
TVyTY youthfull yeres are paiT,
"^^■^ My joyfuil dayes are gone.
My lyfe it may not laft.
My grave and I am one.
My myrth and joyes are fled.
And I a Man in wo,
Defirous to be ded.
My mifciefe to forego.
I burne and am a colde,
1 freefe amyddes the fycr,
2 fee fhe doth witholde
That is my honeft defyre.
I ice my helpe at hande,
I fee my lyfe alfo,
I fee where file doth (Vande
That is my deadly fo.
I fee how Ihe dorh fee.
And yet flie wil be blynde,
1 fee in helpyng me, ^
She fekes and wil not fynde.
I fee how fhe doth wrye,
"When I begynne to mone,
I fee when 1 come nye.
How fayne (he would be gone.
I fee what wil ye more,
She will me gladly kill.
And you fhall fee therfore
That fhe fhall have her vyill.
I cannot live with (tones,
It is too hard a foode,
I wil be dead at ones
To do my Lady good.
The Death of ZOROAS, an Egiptian aftronomer,
in the firft fight that Alexander had with the
Perfians.
^^OW clattring armes, now raging broyjs of warre,
•*' Gan palTc the noys of dredfuU trumpctts clang,
Shrowdcd with fhaftsi the heaven with cloude of
dartes.
Covered the ayre. Againft full fatted bulles,
As forccth kyndled yrc the lyons kecne,
Whofe greedy gutts the gnawing hunger prickes;
So Macedons againft the Perfians fare.
Now corpfes hyde the purpurdc foyle with blood ;
Large (laughter on eche fide, but Perfcs more,
Moyft ficldes bebled, theyr heartes and numbers
bate,
Fainted while ihey gave backe, and fall to flighte.
The litening Macedon by fwordes, by gleaves.
By bandcs and troupes of footennn, with his garde,
Specdcs to Dary, but hym hii mereft kyn,
Oxate prefcrves with horfeiren on a plumpe
Before his carr, that none his charge fhould give.
Here grunts, here groans, eche where ftrong youth
is fpent:
Shaking her bloudy hands, Bellone among
The Perles foweth all kind of cruel death:
With throte yrent he roares, he lyeth along
His cntrailes with a launcc through gryded quyte,
Hym fmytes the club, hym woundes farre ftryking
bowe.
And him the fling, and him the (hining fwordj
He dyeth, he is all dead, he pantes, he reftcs.
Right over ftoode in fnowwhite armour brave.
The Memphite Zoroas, a cunnyng clarke.
To whom the heaven lay open as his booke;
And in celeftiall bodies he could tell
The moving meeting light, afpedt, eclips,
And influence, and conftellations all;
What earthly chaunces would betyde, what yere.
Of plenty (torde, what figne forewarned death.
How winter gendreth fnow, what temperature
In the prime tyde doih feafon well the foyle.
Why fummer burncs, why autumnehath ripe grapes,
. Whither the circle quadrate may become,
Whether our tunes heavens harmony can yelde
Of four begyns among themlelves how great
Proportion is-, what (way the erryng lightes
Doth fend in courfe gayne that fy rfl movy ng heaven ;
What grees one from another diftancc be.
What (tarr doth let the hurtfull fyre to rage.
Or him more mylde what oppoficion makes.
What fyre doth qualifye Mavorfes fyre.
What houfe eche one doth fecke, what plannett
raignes
Within this heaven fphere, nor thatfmall thynges
I fpeake, whole heaven he clofeth in his breit.
This fage then in the ftarres hath fpyed the fates
Threatncd him death without delay, and, flth,
He faw he could not fatal! order chaunge,
Foreward he prefl: in battayle, that he migiit
Mete with the rulers of the Macedons,
Of his right hand defirous to be flain.
The bouldeft borne, and worthieft in the feilde;
And as a wight, now wery of his lyfe.
And feking death, in fyrll front of his rage.
Comes defperately to Alexanders face.
At him with dartes one after other throwes.
With recklefle wordes and clamour him provokes,
And I'ayth, Nedanaks bartard (hamefull ilayne
Of mothers bed, why lofeft thou thy ftrokes,
Cowardes among. Turn thee to me, in cafe
Manhood there be fo much left in thy heart.
Come fight with mc, that on my helmet weare
Apollo's
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
Apollo's laurell both for learnings laude.
And eke for martiall praife, that in my fhieldc
The feven fold Sophi of Minerve contein,
A match more mete, Syr King, then any here.
The noble prince amoved takes ruth upon
The wilful) wight, and with foft words ayen,
0 monflrous man (quoth he) what fo thou art,
1 pray thee live, ne do not with thy death
This lodge of Lore, the Mufes manfion marre;
That treafure houfe this hand ihall never fpoyle,
My fword fliall never bruife that (killful brayne.
Long gather'd heapes of fcience fone to fpill ;
O howe fayre fruites may you to mortall men
From Wifdoms garden give; how many may
By you the wifcr and the better prove;
'What error, what mad moode, what frenzy thee
Perfwades to be downe, fent to depe Avernc,
"Where no artes flourifb, nor no knowledge vailes
For all thefe fawes. When thus the fovereign
faid.
Alighted Zoroas with fword unfheathed.
The carelefs king there fmoate above the greve,
At th' opening of his quifhes wounded him.
So that the blood down trailed on the ground :
The Macedon perceiving hurt, gan gnafhe.
But yet his mynde he bent in any wife
Hym to f rbeare, fett fpurrs unto his ftede.
And turnde away, left anger of his fmarte
Should caufe revenger hand deale baleful! blowes.
But of the Macedonian chicftaines knights.
One Meleager could not bear this fight.
But ran upon the faid Egyptian rude.
And cut him in both knees: he fell to ground.
Wherewith a whole rout came of fouldiours
fterne.
And all in pieces hewed the fely feg,
But happely the foule fled to the ftarres,
Where, under him, he hath full fight of all.
Whereat he gazed here with rcachmg looke.
The Perfians waild fuch fapience to forgoe.
The very fone the Macedonians wifht
Me would have lived, king Alexander felfe
Demde him a man unmete to dye at all;
Who wonne like praife for conqucft of his Yre,
As for ftoute men in field that day fubdued.
Who princes taught how to difcerne a man.
That in his head fo rare a jewel beares,
But over all thofe fame Camenes, thofe fame.
Divine Camenes, whofe honour he procurde,
As tender parent doth his daughters wcale.
Lamented, and for thankes, all that they can.
Do cherirti hym deceaft, and fett him free.
From dark oblivion of devouring death.
Barclay wrote about 1550 ; his chief work is the
Ship of Fooks, of which the following extradl ^ill
ihew his ftyle.
Of Mockers and Scorners, and falfe Accufers.
r\ Heartless fooks, hafte here to our dodrine,
Leaue off the wayes of your enormitie,
Enforce you to my preceptes to encline.
For here Iball I (hcwe you good and veritie :
Encline, and ye finde fhall great profperitie,
Enfuing the dodrine of our fathers olde.
And godly lawes in valour worth great golde.
Who that will followe the graces manyfolde
Which are in vertue, (hall finde auauncement:
Wherfore ^e fooles that in your finne are bolde,
Enfue ye wifdome, and leaue your lewde intent,
Wifdome is the way of men molt excellent:
Therfore haue done, and fliortly fpede your pace.
To quaynt your felf and company with grace.
Learne what is vertue, therin is great iblace,
Learne what is truth, fadnes and prudence.
Let grutche be gone, and grauitie purchafe,
Forfake your folly and inconueniencc,
Ceafe to be fooles, and ay to fue offence,
Followe ye vertue, chiefe roote of godlynes.
For it and wifedome is ground of clenlynes.
Wifedome and vertue two thinges are doubtles,
Whiche man cndueth with honour fpeciall,
But fuche heartes as flepe in foolithnes
Knoweth nothing, and will nought know at all:
But in this little barge in principall
All foolifli mockers 1 purpofe to repreue,
Clawe he his backe that fecleth itch or greue.
Mockers and fcorners that are harde of beleue.
With a rough comb here will I clawe and grate,
Toproue if they will from their vice remeue.
And leaue their folly, which caufeth great debate:
Suche caytiues fpare neyther poore man nor eftate.
And where their felfe are moft worthy derifion.
Other men to fcorne is all their moft condition.
Yet are mo fooles of this abufion,
Whiche of wife men dcfpifeth the doftrine.
With mowes, mockes, fcorne, and coUufion,
Rewarding rebukes for their good difcipline:
Shewc to fuche wifdome, yet (hall they not encline
Unto the fame, but fet nothing therby,
But mocke thy doftrine, ftiil or openly.
So in the worlde it appeareth commonly.
That who that will a foole rebuke or blame,
A mocke or mowe (hall he haue by and by:
Thus in derifion haue fooles their fpeciall game.
Correct a wife man that woulde cfchue ill name.
And fayne would learne, and his lewde life amende.
And to thy wordes he gladly (hall intende.
If
THE HISTORY OF THE
If by misfortune a rightwife man offende,
He gUdly fuffercth a iuftc corredion,
And him that him teacheth laketh for his frende,
Him fclfe putting mekely unto fubiedtion,
Folowing his preceptes and good diredion:
But yf that one a foole rebuke or blame.
He fliall his teacher hate, Qaunder and diffame.
Howbeit his wordes oft turne to his own fliame,
And his owne dartes rttourne to him agayne.
And fo is he fore wounded with the fame.
And in wo endeth, great mifery and payne.
It alfo proued full often is certayne.
That they that on mockers alway their mindes caft,
Shall of all other be mocked at the laft.
He that goeth right, ftedfaflr, fure, and faft.
May him well mocke that goeth halting and lame,
And he that is white may well his fcornes caft,
Agaynft a man of Inde : but no man ought to blame
Anothers vice, while he vfeth the fame.
Butwhothatof finne is cleaneindeedeand thought.
May him well fcorne whofe liuing is ftarke nought.
The fcornes of Naball full dere fliould haue been
bought.
If Abigayl his wife difcrete and fage.
Had not by kindnes right crafty meanes fought,
The wrath of Dauid to temper and affwage.
Hath not two beares in their fury and rage
Two and furtie children rent and tome.
For they the prophete Helyfeus did fcorne.
So might they curfe the time that they were borne,
For their mockmg of this prophete diuine:
So many other of this fort often mourne
For their lewde mockes, and fall into ruine.
Thus is it foly for wife men to encline.
To this lewde flockc of fooles, for fee thou fliall
Them mofte fcorning that are moft bad of all.
The Lenuoy of Barclay to the fooles.
Ye mocking fooles that in fcorne fet your ioy.
Proudly defpifing Gods punition:
Take ye example bv Cham the fonne of Noy,
"Which laughed his father vnto derifion,
Which him after curfed for his tranfgrefTion,
And made him feruaunt to all his lyne and ftocke.
So fliall ye caytifs at the conclufion,
Since ye are nought, and other fcorne and mocke.
About the year 1553 wrote Dr. Wtlfon, a man
celebrated for the policcnefs of his ftyle, and the
extent of his knowledge: what w.is the ftate of our
language in his time, the following may be of ufe
to fliow.
■pRonunciation is an apte orderinge bothe of the
■*• voyce, countenaunce, and all the whole bodye,
accor lynge to the worthines of fuche woordes and
mater as by fpeache are declared. The vfc
hereof is fuche for anye one that liketh to haue
prayfe for tellynge his talc in open aflc;mblie, that
hauing a good tongue, and a comelye countenaunce,
he flial be thought to paflTe all other that haue the
like vtteraunce : thoughe they haue much better
learning.. The tongue geueth a certayne grace to
euerye matter, and beautifieth the caufe in like
maner, as a fwete foundynge lute muche fetteth
forthe a meane deuifed ballade. Or as the founde
of a good inftrumente ftyrreth the hearers, and
moueth muche delite, fo a cleare foundyng voice
comforteth muche our deintie cares, with muche
fwete melodic, and caufeth vs to allowe the matter
rather for the reporters fake, then the reporter for
the matters fake. Demofthenes therforc, that fa-
moufe oratour, beyng aflced what was the chiefeft
point in al oratorie, gaue the chiefe and oncly
praife to Pronunciation ; being demaunded, what
was the feconde, and the thirde, he ftill made
aunfwere. Pronunciation, and would make none
other aunfwere, till they lefie afliyng, declaryng
hereby that arte without vtteraunce can dooe no-
thyng, vtteraunce without arte can dooe right
muche. And no doubte that man is in outwarde
apparaunce halfe a good clarke, that hath a cleane
tongue, and a comely gefture of his body, ^fchines
lykwyfe L'eyng banniflied his countrie through De-
mofthenes, when he had redde to the Rhodians his
own oration, and Demofthenes aunfwere thereunto,
by force whereof he was banniflied, and all they
marueiled muche at the excellencie of the fame :
then (q d ^fchines) you would have marueiled
muche more if you had heard hymfelfe fpeak it.
Thus beyng caft in miferie and banniflied foreuer,
he could not but geue fuch greate reporte of his
deadly and mortal ennemy.
Thus have I deduced the Englijh language from eafily traced, and the gradations obferved, by which
the age of /f//r(f^ to ihzioi Elizabeth; in fome parts it advanced from its firll rudenefs to its prefeat
imperfedty for want of materials; but 1 hope, at elegance,
Icaft, in fuch a manner that its progrefs may be
A GRAM^
R
M M A R
OF THE
ENGLISH TONGUE.
G
RAMM AR, whlchisyhart of ufing'wards properly , com-
prifes four parts; Orthography, Etymology, Syntax,
and Profody.
In this divirton and order of the parts of grammir I follow the common gr»m-
mwians, without enquiring whether t fitter diftributiim might not be tound.
Experience ha; long Ikown this method to be fo diftinft a» to obviate confulion,
and fo comprchcnfive as to prevent any inconvenient omiflions. I likcwife ufe
•the terms already received, and ah-cady (nderftood, though perhaps others more
proper might fometimes be invented. Sylbnrgius, and other innovators, whofe
new terms have fanlc their learning into negled, have left fufficieot warning
againft the trifling ambition of teaching arts in a new language.
ORTHOCRAPHy is the art of combining Utters itito fyllahhs,
4mdfyllabhs into nuords. It therefore teaches previoufly the form
and found of letters.
The letter* of the Eagliih language are.
Saxon.
Roman.
Italick.
OldE
nglith.
Name.
X
a
A
a
A
a
»
a
a
fi
b
B
b
B
b
s
b
it
E
c
C
c
C
e
«c
c
fi*
D
b
D
d
D
d
®
l»
det
e
i.
E
e
£
t
«
e
€
F
F
F
f
F
f
3P
f
'I
c
7>
G
g
G
S
<3
8
jet
fe
h
H
h
H
h
»
1
aitcb
i
1
I
i
I
i
i
i (.wja
J
J
7
j
3
t
J confonant.
K
k
K
k
K
k
{{
ia
L
1
L
1
L
I
%
I
tl
ro
m
M
m
M
m
M
m
tm
N
n
N
n
N
n
Mi
n
tn
O
o
O
o
0
0
<o
o
0
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
pee
Q.
«T
SL
q
f-
?
^
q
cut
R
n
R
r
R
r
fR
tf
or
8
r
S
fs
S
f>
A
fs?
'fi
T
e
T
t
T
t
C
t
tit
U
a
U
a
U
u
u
u (or 'Va
V
V
V
T
V
•V
D
b
•V confonant.
u;
P
w
W
w
IM
m
bj
doable «
X
X
X
X
X
X
f
tx
Y
y
Y
y
r
y
P
t
nvy
Z
z
Z
z
X
K
^
i
xed, more
commonly izz^rd
or
uxxard, that is
mt
- _ »
fhard.
Vol. I
To thefe may be added certain combinations of letters univer-
fally ufed in printing ; as ft. ft, fl, fl, (b, flc, fF, ff, fi, fli, fi, ffi, ffl,
and &, or and per ft, and. a,ft,fl,f,fi,fi,ff,j;f,ffi,f,ffi.ff. H.
(t, a, a, a, ff, tr, a, s, ffi, ffi, i»
Our letters are commonly reckoned twenty-four, bccaufe anciently i and/,
■s well as u and v, were exprefled by the fame charafler ; but as thofc letters,
which had always different powers, have now diflFcrent forms, our alphabet may
be properly faid to coniill of twenty-fix letters.
None of the fraall confunants have a double form, excepty^ ij of whichyit
ufed in the beginning and middle, and < at the end.
Vowels are five, a, e, i, o> u.
Such is the number generally received ; but for i it is the
praftice to write y in the end of words, as thy, holy ; before /,
as from die, dying ; from beautify, beautifying ; in the words y5yi/,
■days, eyes ; and in words derived from the Greek, and written
originally with v, Zifiijiem, avmft» 5 fympathy, av^iti^uct.
For u we often write w after a vowel, to make a diphthong j
as rarw, grew, n/itvj, •vovi,floTMing, loivnefs.
The founds of all the letters are various.
In treating on the letters, 1 fliall not, like fome other grimmarUni, enquire
into the original of their form, as an antiquarian j nor into their formation and
prolation by the organs of fpccch, as a mechanick, anatomiH, or phyfiologift :
nor into the properties and gradation of founds, or the elegance or harlhnefs of
particular combinations, as a writer of univerfal and tranfcendental grammar. I
confider the Englilh alphabet only as it is Englilh ; and even in this narrow dif..
quifition, I follow the example of former grammarians, perhaps with more reve-
rence than judgment, bccaufe by writing in Englilh i fuppofc my reader already
acquainted with the EngliOi language, and confequenilv able to pronounce the
letters, of which I teach the pronunciation; and becaufc of founds in gcnc.-.il it
may be obfcrved, that words are unable to defcribe them. An account therefore
of the primitive and fimple ietttrs is ufclefs almoft alike to thofe who know their
found, and thofe who know it not.
Of VOWELS.
A.
J has three founds, the flender, open, and broad.
A flender is found in moft words, zaface, mane ; and in word*
ending in atiotr, as creation, fal'vation, generation.
The a flender is the proper Englilh a, called very juftly by Erpenius, in hii
Arabick Grammar, a Anglicum turn c miftum, as having a middle found between
the open a and the t. The French have a fimilar found in the woid /a/i, and in
their e mafculiuc. ^
A open is the a of the Italian, or nearly refembles it j as
father, rather, congratulate, fancy, glafs.
A broad refembles the a of the German ; as all, 'wall, call.
Many words pronounced with a broad were anciently written with au, at
ftnlt, mauli ; and we fliU tty fault, vault. This was probably the Siaon found,
S /or
A GRAMMAR OF THE
for it II yet retained in the northern dialeAst aod in the ruftick pronunciation ;
u naan for au«, taunj lor bard.
^
The fliort a approaches to the a open, as griz/i.
The long «, it prolonged by e at the end of the word, is al-
ways (lender, is graze, fame.
A forms a diphthong only with ;' or j, and u or w. Ai or 4)'>
as in plain, ivain, gey, clay, has only the found of the long and"
flender a, and differs not in the pronunciation froin flane, -wane.
Au or o'w has the found of the German a, as reew, naughty.
^e is fometimcs found in Latin words not completely naturalifcd or aflimi-
lattd, but is no EngUfli diphthong ; and is more properly exprclled by fing'.e t,
as C'jir, £mas. - ■ . ■
E.
£ I] the letter which occurs rood frequently in the Englifli language.
. E is long, as m feint ; or fliort, as in cellar, feparate, celebrate.
mtn
t/bei.
fFomttt is pronounced nuimen.
The ihort e has fometimes the found of a clofe u, tsfon, ttme.
It is always Ihort befor© a double confonahti' or tw(i.confo-
nants, as in ft.v, perplexity, relent, medlar, reptile, fer pent, cellar,
cjfation, bleJJ{ng, fell, felling, debt.
E is always mute at the end of a word, except in monofylla-
bles that have no other vowel, as the ; or proper names, as Pe-
nelope, Phebe, Derbe ; being ufcd to modify the foregoing con-
fonant, asyiWiT^, tnce, hedge, oblige ; or to lengthen the preceding
vowelj as bun, b^.ne ; can, cane; pin, p'tne ; tun, tiene ; rob,
rihe ; popt fopt ; fir, ftre ;, cur, .cure i tub, tube.
Almoft all words which now tcrmioate.in canfonants ended anoicntly in «, as
year, yean; -u/'ildnifs, •wildvejji; which ir probably 'had the force of the French e
feminine, and ranftituted a lyllahle with its adbtiat^ conionant ; for, in old edi-
tions, words are fometimes di\ided thus, clca-rt, fcl-k, icciuled-ge. This e
was perhaps for a tiqie vocal or filent in poetry, as convenience requircJ ; but it
has been long whi'Hy mute. Camden in his Himains calls it the iilent e.
It does not always lengthen the foregoing vowel, as ^/s-v?, live,
gltie.
It has fometimes in the en<J pf words a found obfcure, and
fcarcely perceptible, as open, papen, Jhotteut'thijile, participle,
iitc?e. '■ ■ ■ , ■ ; '; ' :-'• ■ '•
. This faintnefe of found is found when « feparates a muce from a liquid, at in
rotten; or follows a mute and liquid, as in raff/e.
E forms a diphthong with a, as near ; with /', as deign, receive ;
and with uotiu, asne^VfJieiv.
Ea founds like e long, as mean ;. or like^^, as dear, cJefrxfuar..^
Ei is founded like e lon^, as/eize, perceiving. v '\ -,i •'
£u founds as u long and foft.
E, a, u, are combined in beauty and its derivatives, but have
only the found of u.
E m2Ly be faid to form a diphthong by reduplication, as agree,
fueping.
Ea is found inyecmen, where It is founded as e (hort; and 'in feifle, where it
is pronounced like et.
/has a found, long, as fine; and Ihort, as fin.
That is eminently obfervable in i, which may be lllcewife remarked in other
letters, that the Ihort found, is not the long found contrafled, but a found wholly
diA'etent.
The long fonnd in monofyllables u always marked by the e
final, as thin, thine.
J is often founded before r as a fliort a ; i.% flirt, firft, Jhiri.
It forms a diphthong only with e, a& field, Jhield, which is
founded as the double ee ; except friend, which is founded as
frend.
I is joined with ai in lieu, and rui in •uie^ii ; which triphthong) ate founded as
tbe oprn *.
o.
O is long, as bZiu, aiidiint, corriding ; or fliort, hillock, knock,
iili^ue, /«//.
O coalefces into a diphthong with a, as moan, groan, approach {
oa has the found oio long.
(n% united to f in fome words derived from Greek, as cecontmy ; but ne being
not an Englilh diphthong, they are better written a^ they are luusdcd, with only t,
'ecoixiriy. *
With I, as oil, foil, moil, neifome,
, This ^oalition of letters fcems to unite the founds of the two letters as bet as-
two f»un>& can be united without being dcftroyed, atid therefore approaches more
nearly than any combination in our tongue to the notion of a diphthong.
With 0, as boot, hoot, cooler ; eo has the found of the Italian u.
With K or iv, as our, poiver, flo'wer ; but in fome words has-
only the found'cf o long, as in. foul, bmul, fovj , grtnu. Tiiefe dif-
ferent founds are ufed to dittinguifli difPercnt iigoificatipns ; as
bo^u, an inllrument for (hooting ; boiv, a depreiiion of the head :
fan.!}, the (he of a boar ; foi>j, to fcatter feed : bowl, an orbicular
body ; botxl, a wooden veflel.
Ou is fometimes pronounced like o foft, as court ; fometimes
like 0 (hort, as cough ; fometimes like u clofe, as could ; or ;/ open,
as rough, tough ; which ufe only can teach.
' Ou is frequently ufed in the laft fyllable of words which in Latin end in cr, and
arc made Engliih, as hcncur, labour, favour, from bcno/j tabor ^ fat' or.
Some late innovators havtejefted the u, without coiirtJtring that the lad fyl-
lable gives the found neither of er nor ur, but a found between them, if not com-
pounded of both; befidrt that they are probably dL-rJv.ed to us from the French,
f\ontta in err, as bnnieur, Jivcur.
u.
U is long in /fe, confuflon ; or (hort, as us, concujjion.
It coalefces with a, e, i, o ; but has rather in theie combina-
tions the force of the ou, as quaff, qnefl, quit, quite, languijh ;
fometimes in ui the / lofes its found, as in juice. It is fometimes
mute before a, e, i,y, as guard, guefl, guije, buy.
U is followed by e in virtue, but jhe e has no fojjnd.
Ue is fometimes mute at the end of a word, in imitation of the French, ispro"
rogue, fynagogue, fitgue, vague, harangue.
7" is a vowel, whichi as Quintilian obferves of one of the Ro-
man letters, we might want without inconvenience, but that we
have it. It fupplies the place of; at the end of words, as thy ; ,
before an f, as dying ; and is commonly retained in derivative
words where it was part of a diphthong in the primitive j as de-
Jlroy, dejlroyer ; betray, betrayed, bttrayer ; pray, prayer j fay,
fayer ; day, days.
J'b^ng the^aton vowel y, which was commonly ufcd wher? / is now put, ,
occuts very frequently in all old boolc£>
General Rules.
A vowel inthe beginning or middle fyllable, before two con-,
fonants, is commonly (hort, as opportunity.
In monofyllables a fingle vowel before a fingle confonant is-
ftiort, as flag,. frog.
Many is pronounced as if it were wrote mermy.
Of C O N S O N AN T S..
B.
3 has one unvaried found, fuch as it obtains in other Ian-
guages. , t I L J /
It is mute in debt, debtor, fubtk, doubt, lamb, limb, dumb,
thumb, climb, comb, ivomb.
It is vifed before I and r, »j */«*, hrvaa.
E :N ,G L I S -H ./TON G;.U ]E.
c.
C has before e and / the found of/; a.s^)itere!j, centrLi, cen-
tury, circular, cijiern, city , Jicc'.ty : before a, o, and », it founds
like k, as calm, concavity, copper, incorporate, curiojity, concupij-
cence. ...... ^ . . - _
C might be omitted in the language without lofs,,(ince o«e of its founds might
be fupplicd by/, and the oth* by k, but that it prefervcs to the eye the etymology
0/ words, as fact from fades, captive from captfvus,
Cb has a found which is analyfed into tjh, as church, chin,
crutch, ft is the fame found which the Italians give to the c
fimple before ; and e, as citta, cerro. , 1,
Ch is founded like k in words derived from the Greek, as
chymiji, /cheme, chohr. Arch is commonly founded ark befor* a
vowel, as archangel; and with the Englifti found of ch before a
confonant, as arf^^y^^o/.
Cb, in fame Freoch words not yet affimilatcd, founds lilce fi, as mach'au,
cba'jfe,
C, having no determinate found, according to Engliih ortliography, never ends
a word ; therefore wc write y?iV*» i/s.-,4, which wcc vr'^'mi^l-, fluke, ixcke, in
fjch words, C is now mute. ,
It is ufed before / ajid r, as clxk, crofst
D.
Is uniform in its found, as death, diligent.
It is ufed before r, as drtv), draft ; and vi, as divelK
/", though having a name beginning with a vowel, is num-
bered by die grammarians among the ienii-vowels ; yet has tliis
quality of a mute, that it is commodioudy founded before a
liquid, z%jiajk,jly, freckle. It has an unvariable found, except
that of is fometimes fpokcn nearly as ov.
G.
G has two found?, one hard, as in gay, go, gun ; tlie other
foft, as in gem, giant.
At the end of a word it is always hard, ring, fnug, fong, frog.
Before e and / the found is uncertain.
G before e is foft, as gem, gcicralion, except in gear, geld,
geej'e, get, genvgaiu, and derivatives from words ending in g, as
finging, ftrtnger, and generally before er at the end of words, as
fiiger.
G is mute before n, as gnafh,ftgn, foreign.
G before i is hard, as gi've, except in giant, gigantic, gibhtt,
gibe, giblets, Giles, gill, gdlifiimier , gin, ginger, gingle, to which
may be added Egypt zxiL gypfey .
Gh, in the beginning of a word, has the found of the hard g,
as ghoflly ; in the middle, and fometimes at the end, it is quite
filent, as though, right, fought, fpoken tho', rite, foute.
It has often at the end the found of/, as laugh, whence laugh-
ter retains the fame found in the middle ; cough, trough, fough;
ttugh, enough, Jlough.
It is not to be daobted, but that in the original pronunciation gh hid
the force of a confonant, deeply guttural, which is ftill continued unung the
Scotch.
G is ufed before i, 1, and r.
H.
W is a note of afpiraiion, and (hows that the following vowel
muft be pronounced with a ftrong emiffion of breath, as hat,
horfe.
It feldom begins any but the firll fyllable, in which it is
always founded with a full breath, except in heir, herb, hofller,
honour, humble, honefl, humour, and their derivatives.
It fometimei begins middle or final fyllablesln words compouadcdi as hliik-
It^J; ot derived lium the Lacin,,as ctmprtbetuUd.
h
J confonant founds uniformly like the foft g, and is therefore
a letter efelefs, except in ctynwlog)', as ejaculation, jcftir, jocund,
jlflcti
• • K. ■ ,..'''■
K has the found of hard c, and \i ufed before e and C wKctc,
according to Englirti analogy, c would be foft, 'as kept, king,
Jl-!rt,Jieptick, for fo it Ihould be written, not fceptick, becaufey^
is founded like/, ag in fane. ■
It is ufed before «, as knell, knot, but totally lofes its found in modem pro-
nunciation. . . !
K is never doubled; but c is ufed before it to Ihorten'tha
vowel by a double confonant, as cockle, flc,iU,
L has in Englifh the fame liquid found as in other languages. '
Thecuftom is to double the / at the end of monofyllablcs, as HI!, iv'ill,Ju/f.
Thefe words were originaHy writteiT H/le, tville, fuUc ; and when the e firft
grew filcnt, and was afterwards omitted, tiic //was retained, to give force, ac-
cording to the analogy of our language, to the foregoing vowel.
L is fometimes mute, as in calf, half, halves, calites, could,
•would, fhould, pjalm, talk, faltnon, falcon.
The Saxo.is, who delighted in guttural founds, fometimes afpirated the / af
the beginning of words, as hbj:, a loaf, or bread; hlapolift, a lord; but this
pronunciation is now difufed.
Le at the end of words is pronounced like a weak el, in which
the e is almofl mute, as table, puttie.
M.
Mhas always the fame found, as murmur, monumental.
N.
A'^ has always the fame (bund, as noble, manners.
N is fometimes mute after m, as damn, condemn, hymn.
P has alv/ays the fame found, which the Welfli and Germans
confound with B.
P is fometimes mute, as in pfalm, and between m and /, as
tempt.
Pb is ufed for/ in words derived from the Greek, as philofo-
pher, philanthropy , Philip,
^, as in other languages, is alw.iys followed by «, and has a.
found which our Saxon anceftors well exprefled by cp, ciu, as
quadrant, queen, equeflrian, quilt, enquiry, quire, quotidian. ^ is
never followed by u.
S^u is fometimes founded, in words derived from the French,
like k, as conquer, liquor, rifque, chequer.
R.
R has the fame rough fnarling found as in other tongues.
The Saxons nfed often to put h before it, as before / at the beginning of
words. . .
Rh is ufed in words derived from .the Gteck, as myrrb, mjrrbiiu, catarrhous,
rheum, rbeumdiuk, rhjmt. ,
Re, .It the end of fome words derived from the Latin or
French, is pronounced like a weak er, as theatre, fepulcbre.
S.
£ has a hifling found, 9a fibilation, fiftet.
A Angle > feldom ends any word, except in the third perfon of verbs, as
'Imci, frovii ; and the pkitall of nouns, M (rets, hufits, diftrejfei j th« prontuns
' B » V this,
A 'Grammar of the
tth, th, tan, ynn, u) ; tfie lirerb tbui ; and worJs derived from Latin, as
niat, jufflui ; Che f IcWe being always either in Jt, at himjt, berjc, or inyt) as
grsji, drejt, i/ijs, lifs, anciently gmji, ttrrji.
S fingle, at the end of words, has a wofler found, like that of
», as trees, eyes, except this, thus, us, rebus, furplus.
It fpundj like % before ion, if a vowel goes before, as intrufion ;
and like^ if it follows a confonant, as con'verjton.
It founds like z. before e mute, as refu/e, and before _)i final, as
rejy; and in thofe words ho/om, dejire, •u.-ifjom, prifon, prifoner,
frejint, prefent. Jam/el, ca/ement.
It it the peculiar quality o( f, that it may be founded before all confonants,
except * and as, in which / \% comprifcd, x being only ij, and K a hard or
gftifsf, Tbb / is therefore termed by grammarians fi»te pitifiat'u Ultra ; the
reafon of which the learned Dr. Clarke erroneoully fuppoled to be, that in
fome words it might be #jublcd at plealure. Thus wc find in feveral lan-
guages :
iZ'invfxt, fcatter, Jdcgno, fdrucdolo, ffavetlari, ff"*jH>^, Jgamhrart, jgranare-,
Jhake, Jiumber, fmtli, jnipe, fpace,^iendiiur, fpring, fquax^e, Jbrnv, fi^p, firt^gtb,
^ramen, Jh'ipe, J'vnttura, ftvell,
S is iDUtC in ij!e, ijland, demefnt, vi/cqunl.
7* has its cuHonary found, as take, temptation,
Ti before a vowel has the found of _/f, as/ai'vatioH, except an
/ goes before, as quejiion ; excepting likewife derivatives from
words ending in ty, as mighty, mightier.
Th has two founds ; the one foft, as thus, <whcther ; the other
hard, as thing, think. Thie found is foft in thcfe words, then,
thenct, and there, with their derivatives and compounds ; and in
that, thefe, thou, thee, thy, thine, their, they, this, thofe, them,
though, thus, and in all words between two vowels, as father,
tvhether ; and between r and a vowel, as burthen.
In other words it is hard, as tbici, thunder, faith, faithful.
Where it is foftened at the end of a woid, an e filent mult be
added, as breath, breathe; cloth, clothe.
V.
y has a found of near affinity to that ofy*, vain, vanity.
From f, in the Iflaadjck alphabet, 1/ ir ocly diftinguiihcd by a diacritical
pel IK.
W.
Of Of, which in diphthongs is oftea an undoubted vowel,
fome grammarians have doubted whether it ever be a confonant ;
and not rather, as it is called, a double u or ou, as luater may be
refolved into ouater ; but letters of the fame found are always
reckoned confoaants in other alphabets : and it may be ob-
ferved, that lu follows a vowel without any hiatus or difficulty of
utterance, a frofiy ^winter.
Wh has a found accounted peculiar to the Engllfh, which the
Saxons better cxpreffed by hp, htu, as ivhat, 'whence, -whiting ;
in luhore only, and fometimes in •wholefome, 'wh is founded like
a fimple h.
JT begins no Englilh word ; it has »he found of is, as axle,
Miraneouj.
Y.
y, when it follows a confonant, is a vowel ; when it precedes
•ither a vowel or dipththong, is a confonant, ye, young. It is
thought by fome to be in all cafes a vowel, But it may be ob-
ferved ofy as of 'iu, that it foUoivs a vowel without any hiatus,
as rofy youth.
The thief argument by which •» and y appear to be always vowels is, that
the founds which they arc fuppofed to have as confonant^, cannot be uttercJ
ai^ter • vowel, like that of a'l nther confonants : thus we fay, tu, vt ■■, do, odd ;
tat <A wM, Unu, the two founds »t'«r ha?e ao ickialilaiicc tu ewih «tlic[>
8
Z.
Z begins no word originally EnglLfli ; it has the fonnd, a»
its name ixxard, or f hard exprefles, of an / uttered with clofer
compreffion of the palate by the tongue, in freeze, froxe.
In orthography I have fuppoltd trtbetpj, orjufl utterance tf wurjt, to be in-
cluded ; orthography being only the art of expreiring certain founds by proper
characters. 1 have therefore obferved in what words any of the letters are
mute.
Mod of the writers of Englilh gramtnar have given long tables of words pro-
nounced othcrwifc than they arc written, and feem not fufHclently to have
confidcrcd, that of £nglilh, as of all living tongues, there is a double pro-
nunciation, one curfory and colloquial, the other regular and folemn. The
cjirlory pronunciation is always vague and uncertain, being made diflferent in
diiiercnt mouths by negligence, unikilfulnefs, or an'eilation. The folemn pro-
nunciation, though by no means immutable and permanent, is yet always
Icfs remote from the orthography, and Icfs liable to capricious innovation.
They have however generally formed their tablet according to the curfory
fpccch of thofe with whom they happened to converfe ; and concluding that
the whole nation combines to vitiate language in one manner, have oftea
eftabliflicd the jargon of the lowed of the people as the model of fpeech.
For pronunciation the beft general rule is, to confider thofe of the moft ele-
gant fpeakers who deviate lead from the written words.
There have been many fchcmcs offered for the emendation and fcttlement of
our orthography, which, like that of other nations, being formed by chance,
or according to the fancy of the earlled writers in rude ages, was at fird very
various and uncertain, and is yet fufficlently irregular. Of thefe reformers
fome have endeavoured to accommodate orthography better to the pronunci-
ation, without confiderlng that this is to mcafure by a ihadow, to take that for
a mod^l or ilandard which is changing while they apply it. Others, lefs
abfurdly indeed, but with equal unlikelihood of fuccels, have endeatoured to
proportion the number of letters to that of founds, that every found may have
its own charaftcr, and every character a lingle found. Such would be the.
ortliography of a new language to t% formed by a fynod of grammarians
upon principles of fcience. But who can hope to prevail on nations to change
their praftice, and make all their old books ufelefs ? or what advantage would
a new orthography procure equivalent to the confulion and perplexity of fuch
an alteration f
Some of thefe fchemes I fliall however exhibit, which may be ufcd according
to the diverfitics of genius, as a guide to reformers, or terrour to innovators.
One of the fird who propofed a fcheme of regular orthography, was Sir
Thomas Smith, fecretary of date to Queen Elizabeth, a man of real learning,
and much pra£llfed in grammatical difquiQtions. Had he written the following
lines according to his fcheme, they would have appeared thus 1
At length Erafmus, that great injur'd name,
The glory of the ptiedhood, and the fhame,
Stemm'd the wild torrent of a barb'rous age.
And drove thofe holy Vandals off the dage.
Ac IcngiS Erafmus, Sat gret Vngurd nam.
At glorV of So priidhtid, and Se zam,
Stcmmd Se TOild torrent of a barb'rous aj.
And drijv S'os hiili Vandals off Se daj.
After him another mode of writing was offered by Dr. Gill, the celebrated
maftcr of St. Paul's fchool in London ; which I cannot reprcfent cxa^ly for
want of types, but will approach as nearly as 1 can by means of charattcr^
now in ufe, fo as to make it undcrftood, exhibiting two ftanzas of Speofeiia tlie
reformed orthography.
Spenfer, book iii. canto 5.
tTnthankful wretch, faid he, is this the meed.
With which her fovereign mercy thou dod quite f
Thy life fhe faved by her gracious deed j
But thou dod ween with viiianous defpight.
To blot her honour, and her beav'nly light.
Die, rather die, than fo difloyally
Deem of her high defert, or feem fo light.
Fair death it Is tj ihun more Ihame ; then die*
Die, rather die, than ever love difloyally.
But if to love difloyalty it be,
Shall I then hate her, that from deathes door
Me brought ? ah ! far be fuch reproach fi om ms>
What can 1 lefs do, than her love therefore,
Sith I her due reward cannot redore ?
Die, rather die, and dying do her fcrvc.
Dying her ferve, and living her adore.
Thy life (he gave, thy life fhe doth deferve ;
Die, rather die, than ever from her (enice fwtrvt.
VrJlonkful wrs:i, faid hj, iz Sis Se mjd,
Wi|j lob hrr fotcrdin miifi Sou dud qujt ^
Dj Ijf rj '"tt!''- bj htr grafius djd ;
Sue Sou duil wca wi|i V'iinus diipjt,
T»
ENGLISH TONGUE.
Tu blot btr honor, and her hctlalj lL6ti
Pj, ra^ir dj, iScn Co diflolalj
Pjm o( hir hii> dizirt, or fjm fo liit.
Fair dt|| ic iz tu fun mwr film ; ^in dj*
Pj, nSer dj, Ssn itlfr lub difloulj.
But it" tu lub difloialtj it bj, ~
Sal 1 ^in hat htr ^at iVom diSez dxr
Mj brouit ? oh ! f#' bj fuo nproj from mj.
Wat kan I iis du iStn hir iuti Scrfvr,
Siir i her du riw^rd icanot reitur ?
Dj, rjiJSer dj, and djij du htr firto,
DJ!5 hir fiib, and lib.; hsr adir.
Dj Ijf f j 6«*'> *j Ijf rj <iuA dizerVl ;
Dj, raiit dj, ita (btr r'rom hir I'tibii fwirb.
Dr. Gill was followed by Charles Butler, a man who did not want an un-
derftanding which might have qualified him for better emp'.i'yiricnt. He ferns
to have been more fanguine than his predccefTors, for he prjnted his book ac-
cording to his own I'chenke ; which the following fpecimcn will make eafily un-
derwood.
But whenfoerer you have occaflon to trouble their patience, or to come
ireong them being troubled, it is better to ftanJ upon your guard, than to
truft to their gentlenefs. For the fafeguard of your face, which they have
moft mind unto, provide a purfttiood, made of coarfc bouUering, to be drawn
and knit about your collar, which fur more fafety is to be lined againft the
eminent parts with woollen cloth. Firfl cut a piece about an inch and a half
broad, and half a yard l;ing, to reach round by the temples and forehead, from
one ear to the o^her; which being fowcd in his place, join unto it two Ihort
pieces of the fame breadth under the eyes, for the balls of the cheeks, and then
fet another piece about the breadth of a (hilling againft the top of the aofe.
At other times, when they are not angered, a little piece half a quarter broad,
to cover the ejes and parts about them, may lerve, though it be in the heat of
the day.
Bet penfocver you hay' occafion to trubble 8eir patlenc', or to c«»m among
tern hiring trubled, it is better to ftand upon your gard, San to truft to 8eir
gentlenes. For *e faf gard of your fac', pi? 8ey hav' moft mind' unto,
provid' a purfehjod, mad' of coorfe boultering, to b« drawn and knit about
your collar, pis for raor' faf'ty is to b« lined againft S' eminent parts wit
wecUen clot. Firft cut a free' about an jna and a half broad, and half a \ard
long, to ten round by Se temples and for'head, from one ear to 8e o8er j
yia bfcing fowrd in his plac', join unto it two fort paces of the fam breadT
under 'Se eys, for the bails of ie chirks, and then fet an oSer p«c' about 8t
breadr of a filling againft the top o 8c nofe. At o8er tim's, fen 8ey at'
not angered, a little pice' half a quarter broad, to cover 8e eys and parts about
them, may fcrve, 8owj it be in the heat of 8e day. Buikr m Ihi Nature anj
Frtfcrlits cf Beit, 1634.
In the time of Charles I. tber« was a very prevalent Inclination to change
the orthography; as appears, among other books, in fuch editions of the
works of Miltun as were publilhed by himlilf. Of thefe reformers, every
man bad his own fchcme ; but they agreed in one general delign of accommo-
dating the letters to the pronunciation, by ejcfting fuch as they thought fu-
perfluous. Seme of them would have writun thefe lines thus :
-All the erth
Shall then be paradis, far happier place
Than this of Eden, and far happier dais.
Birtiop Wllklns afterwards, in his great work of the philofophital Janjuage,
f ropofed, without expeSing to be followed, a regular orthography ; by which
(he Lord't prayer i» 10 be written thus :
y»r Fadher hnitfli art in hcven halloed bi dhyi nam, dhyi cingdym cym, dhy
•ni bi dyn in erth as it is in heven, ic.
We have finee had no general reformers ; but fome ingenious men have
endeavoured to deferve well of their country, by writing bcmr and iaior for
iimur and Uinur, rtd for riad in the preter-tenfe, ja'is (or Jay t, rtfett for rtfeai,
txf'.am for ixflam, or dutamt for dicta'm. Of thefe it may be laid, that as they
have done no good, they have done little harm ; both bccaufe they have inno-
vated little, and becaule few have followed them.
The Englilh language has properly no dialefls ; the ftyle of writers has no
profeffed diverfity in the ufe of words, or of their flexions, and terminations,
■or differs but by diflferent degrees of (kill or care. The oral diiftion is uniform
is no fpacious country, but has lefs variation in England than in moft other
nations of equal extent. The language of the northern counties retains many
word* novv out of ufe, but which are commonly of the genuine Teutonick
lace, and is uttered with a pronunciation which now fccms harlh and rough,
but wai probably ufed by our anceftors. The northern fpcrch is therefore not
barbarous but obfoletc. The fpcech in tiic wcftern provinces fecms to differ
Xrom the general diflion rather by a depraved ptunwicistioD, thao by any real
4iS<T<i)ce which JctKn would cxprcii.
ETYMOLOGY,
ETYMOLOGY teaches the deduftion of one word from
atiother, and the various modifications by which the fenfe
of the fame word is diverfified ; as horj'e, horfes ; I love, I loved.
0/ tie A R T I c V t.
The Englilh have two articles, an or a, and t&e.
An, a.
ji Jias an indefinite fignification, and means one, with fome
reference to more ; as T/jis ii a good hook, that is, one among the
books that are good. He tvas killed by a fvjord, that is, yZfa#
/•word. This is a better book for a man than a boy, that is, for
one ofthoje that are men than one of thofe that are boys. An army
might enter ivithout refiftance, that is, any army.
In the fenfes in which we ufe a or an in the fingular, we fpeak
in the plural without an article ; as, thefe are good books.
1 have made an the original article, becaufe it is only the Saxon an, or arn,
on.', applied to a new ufe, as the German tm, and the French un : the n being
cut off before a conibnant in the fpeed of utterance. ~
Grammarians of the laft age direft, that an fhould be ufed
before h ; whence it appears that the Englilh anciently afpirated
lefs. Jn is ftill ufed before the filent b, as, an herb, an haneft
man : but otherwife a ; as,
A horfe, a horfe, my kingdom for a horfe. Shakefpeatt.
An or a can only be joined with a ftngular, the correfpondent
plural is the noun without an article, as Iivant a fen ; J ivant
fens : or with the pronominal adjt&'ivefome, as / luant fome fens.
The has a particular and definite fignification.
The fruit
Of that forbidden tree, whofe mortal talle
Brought death into the wor!d. Milton.
That is, that f articular fruit, and this tvorld in ivhich iiiie live.
So, He giveth fodder for the cattle, and green herbs for the ufe of
man ; that is, for thofe beings that are cattle, and his ufe that
is man.
The is ufed in both numbers.
I am as free as Nature firft made man.
Ere the bafe laws of fervitude began.
When wild in woods the noble favage ran. D'ryden.
Many words are nfed without articles ; as,
1. Proper names, as John, Alexander, Longinus, Arijlarchus,
ferufalem, Athens, Rome, London. GoD is ufed as a proper name.
2. AbftraA names, as blacknefs, nuitchcraft , virtue, vice, beauty,
uglinefs, love, hatred, anger, good-nature, kindnefs,
3. Words in which nothing but the mere being of any thing
is implied : This is not beer, but water : this is not brafs, but
fleel.
Of Nouns Substantives,
The relations of Englilh nouns to words going before or fol-
lowing, are not exprelfed by cafes, or changes of termination,
but as in moft of the other European languages by prepofitiont,
unlefs we may be faid to have a genitive cafe.
I
Nom.
Gen.
Dat.
Ace.
Voc.
Abl.
Singular.
Magifter, a Mailer, the Mailer.
Magillri, of a Mailer, of the Mailer, or Mailers,
the Mallert.
Magillro, to a Mailer, to the Mailer.
Magillrum, a Mailer, the Mailer.
Magifter, Mafter, O Mafter.
Magillro, from » Mafter, from tbt Mailer.
Plural.
A GRAMMAR OF THE
Plural.
Nom. Magillrl, Madcrs, the Matters.
Gen. Magillrorum, e/"Mailfrs, of the yiiAex%.
Dat. Magiftris, to Mailers, to the Matters.
Ace. Magiftros, Matters, the Matters.
Voc. Magiftii, Matters, O Matters.
Abl. Magiftris, from Matters, from the Matters.
Our nouns are therefore only declined thus :
Matter, Gen. Matters. Plur. Matters.
Scholar, Cen. Scholars. Tlur. Scholars.
Thcfe genitives are always written with i mark of clifion, majier't, fcholar's,
according to an opinion long received, tliat the '» is a contraction of hit, as the
foldier't valour, for ihifild'ier his vaUur i but this cannot be the true original,
bccaufe 's is put to femile nouns, ff^anan's htauiy ; the Virgin' t delicacy ; Haughty
^/»'i unrtltntmg bate : and collcflivc nouns, as fVomcn's paffant, the rahik't
mfilence, the multitude'' t felly ; in all thefe cafes it is apparent that his cannot be
underftood. We fay liiccwifc, thefouitdaiion'sjlrengih, the diamord's lujire, the
lyinter's ftvcrity ; but in thefe cafes bis may be underftood, he and bis having
tormirly been applied to neuters in the place now fupplied by it and its.
The learned and fagacinus Wilis, to whom cveiy Engliili grammarian owes a
tribute of reverence, calls this modification of the noun an adjeHiv: Ix.JJiJJlvc ;
1 think with no more propriety than he might have applied the fame to rhe geni-
tive in iqultuin decus, Trjte oris, or any other Latin genitive. Dr.Lowth, on the
Other part, fuppofes the pofTelfive pronouns i«i«r and thir:t to be genitive cafes.
This termination of tnc noun feems to conftitute a leal genitive indicating
pofleflion. It is derived to us from thofe who declined rmi8, afmiih; Gen.
.r.TlScp, ofafmith ; t'lur. J-mxiScJ-, or rmi8aJ-,_/»H»i>j ; and fo in two other of
tlicir fevcn decletiHons.
It is a further confirmation of this opinion, that in the old poets both the
genitive anj plural were longer by a fyliable than the original word ; kiitis, for
knight's, in Chaucer ; Uavis, for haves, in Spenfcr.
When a word ends in s, the genitive may be tile fame with the nominative, as
Vertis Temple.
The plural is formed by adding /, as table, tables ; fly, flies ;
fifler,fij}ers ; •vjood, ivoods ; or es where s could not other^vife be
founded, as after ch, s, Jh, x, a ; after c founded like s, and g
I'lkej ; the mute e is vocal before s, as lance, lances ; outrage,
tut rages.
The formjtion of the plural and genitive fingular is the fame.
A few words yet mak.e the plural in a, as men, nvotncn, oxen, fwine, and more
anciently eyin -^ni finon. This f jrmation is that which generally prevails in the
Xeutonick dialects.
Words that end in /"commonly form their plural by -ves, as
haf, loaves ; calf, calves.
Except a few, muff, muffs ; chitf, chiefs. So bttf, reof, frtKf, relief, mifcbief,
fuff, cuff, dwarf, handkerchief, grief.
Irregular plurals are teeth from tmib, Hce from hufe, mice from mcufe, ge.fe
{com gotfe, feel from/of-r, dice from die, fence Uom penny, br^:hren from brother,
children from child.
Plurals -ending in s have for the moft part no genitives ; but
we fay, Womens excellencies, and ff''ei^h the mens ivits again/l the
ladies hairs. Pope.
Dr. Wallis thinks the Lords' hmfe may be faid for the houjt if Lords ; but fuch
phrafes are not now in ufe ; and furcly an Englilh ear rebels againll them. They
would commonly produce a troublefome ambiguity, as the L'.rd's buufe may be
the beuje of Lords, or the houfe of -x Lord. Belidcs that the mark of clifion is
in>proper, for in the Lords' houfe nothing is cut off.
Some Englifli fubftantives, like thofe of many other languages, change their
tarr.iinatjon as they exprefs diftei ent fexcs, as prince, princefs ; alJor, aSrcfs ; Rm,
Hone's ; hero, heroine. To thefe mentioned by Dr. Lowth may be added arb'iirefs,
poetifs, ehaunlrejs, duchefs, ligrefs, governefs, tuirefs, pecrefs, authorefs, traytrefs,
and perhaps others. Of thefe variable terminations we have only a fufficient
number to make us feel our want ; for when we fay of a woman that flie is a
ph'tUfpher, an ajlroncmer, a builder, a iveaver, a dancer, we perceive an impro-
priety in the terminatii'n which we cannot avoid ; but we can fay that (he is an
trehiliH, a hotaniJI, ifudtni, becaufe thefe terminations have not annexed to
tinm tlie notion of (ex. Jn words which the nece(rities of life are often re-
quiring, the fex is dift.njuilhcd not by different terminations, but by dift'ercnt
names, as, a bull, a conu ; a hcrfe, a mare ; eijuus, ejua ; a cock, a hen j and fome-
times by pronouns prefixed, as a he.goai, u (kc-goat.
Of Adjectives.
Adjeflives in the finglifti language are wholly indeclinable ;
having neither cafe, gender, nor number, and being added to
fubftantives in all relations without any change ; as a good wo-
man, good luomen, of a good nuoman ; a good man, good men, of
good men.
The ComparifoH of AdjeSllves.
The comparative degree of adjeftives is formed by adding «•,
the fuperlative by adding efl, to the pofitive ; as fair, fairer,
iwefl ; lo--jely,\ost\\er, loveli^y? ; /ivtv/, fweet^r, fweet^ ; lotti,
lower, \cwfjl ; high, liighrr, high;-/?.
Some words are irregularly compared ; as good, better, hcjl ;
bad, eworfe, tvorfi ; little, lifs, leaft ; near, nearer, next ; much,
more, moj} ; many (or mce), more (for moer), mofl (for moeji') ; late,
later, latefl or laj}.
Some comparatives form a fuperlative by adding tnofl, as
nether, ncthcrmofl ; outer, oiUermofi ; under, undermofl ; up, upper,
upper mojf ; fore, former, for emoji.
Moft is fometimes added to a fubftantive, as topmoft , fiuthmoft .
Many adjeftives do not admit of comparifon by terminations,'
and are only compared by more and mojl, as benevolent, mart
bene'volent , moft benevolent.
All adjeiSives may be compared by more and m»ft, even when
they have comparatives and fuperlatives regularly formed ; as
fair ; fairer, or more fair ; faireft, or moft fair.
In adjectives that admit a regular comparifon, the comparative mive !< oftener
ufed than the fuperlative rmfi, as more fair is oftener written lot fairer, than molt
fair for faircf.
The comparifon. of adjeftives is very uncertain ; and being
much regulated by commodioufnefs of utterance, or agreeable-
nefs of found, is not eafily reduced to rules.
Monofyllables are commonly compared.
Polyfyllables, or words of more than two fyllables, are feldom
compared otherwife than by more and moft, as deplorable, tnort
deplorable, moft deplorable.
Diflyllables are feldom compared if they terminate in feme,
as fiilfome, toilfome ; in ful, as careful, ffleenfiil, dreadful ; in
ing, as trifling, charming ; in ous, as porous ; in lefs, as carehfs,
harmlefs ; in ed, as luretched ; in id, as candid ; in al, as mortal ;
in enf, as recent , fer'vent ; in ain, as certain ; in ive, as mijjive ;
XTsdy, zs luoody ; vn. ff, as pttfly ; in ^Vj is.rociy, except IticHy ;
in my, as roomy ; in ny, asjkinny ; in py, as ropy, except happy ;
in ry, as hoary.
Some comparatives and fuperlatives are yet found in good writers, formed
without regard to the foregoing rules : but in a language fubjeCted fo little and fo
lately to grammar, fuch anomalies mull freijuently occur.
Sojtady is compared by Milton.
She '\t\padieji covert hid,
Tun'd her ooCturnal note. Faradife Lojt.
And virtuws.
What (he wills to fay or do.
Seems wifefl, virtutujeji, difcreetcft, bell. Paradije Lefl.
So trifing, by Ray, who is indeed of no great authority.
it is not fo decorous, in refpeCl of God, that he (hould immediately
do all 'the meaneft and trifingrj} things himfclf, without making ufe of
any inferior or fubordinate minider. Ray on the Creation.
Famous, by Milton.
1 (hall be nam'd among the famoufcjl
Of women, fung at folemn fellivals. Milton's Agtniftes.
In-vent'nie, by jijcham. '
Thofe have the invent'eveft beads for all purpofes, and roundell tongues
in all matters. uijebam's Schoolmafier.
Mortal, by Bacon.
The martalefl poifons praClifed by the Weft Indians, have fomc mixture
of the blood, fat, or flclh of man. Bacon,
Natural, by Wottos.
I will now deliver a few of the properefl and naturolkfi confiderations
that belong to this piece. Wotlon's Arcbitcciure.
IVretehed, by Jonfon.
The ivretcheder are the contemners of all helps j fuch as prefuming on
tiieir own naturals, deride diligence, and mock at terms when they un-
dcrdand not things. Ben fonfm.
Vnverful, by Milton.
We have fuftain'd one day in doubtful fight,
What heav'n's great King hath f.w'rfifl.'eji to fend
Againft us from about his throne. Paradije Lcfi,
■ The
ENGLISH TONGUEi
The term!«»t!on \n !Jh any be acceunteJ In fome fort 9 degree of comparifon,
by which the fignlnca.ioa is diminiihed below the poficive, as ilacky black'ijhy or
tending to bbcknefs ; jah,Jahijk, or having a little tafte of fait : they therefore
admit no comparifon. This termination is fddom added bntto words expreiling
fenfible qualities, nor often to words of above one fy)Uble, and is fcaredy ufed
io the foiemn or fubiimc llyle. ' ■
CyPRONOUNS.
Pronouns, in the EngHfti language, are, /, thtu, be, with fHeir
plurals, ttie, ye, they ; it, ivho, luhich, •what, ivhether, ivho/oe-ver ,
<vibalfoen:er , m/, mine, our, ours, thy, thine, your, yours, his, hir,
hers, their, theirs, this, that, other, another , ^x\\c fame , fame.
The pronoans perfonal are irregularly inflefted.
Singular. Plural.
Nom. I
We
Accuf. and other ) -^
oblique caies. ]
Us
AW. Thou
Ye
Oblique. Thee
You
Ysu is commonly ufed ia modern writers foryr, particularly in the language of
cere:aonJr, where the fccond perfon plural is ufed for the fecond perfon fingular,
Yi,u art my fr':ei:tt'
Singular. Plural.
Ouique. Sfm TheL } ^^^^"^ " mafcuHnes.
Nom. She Thev 1 , ,• . r • •
Ohl,que. Her Them } '^PP^'^'^ '° fem.nines.
rpi ^ {• Applied to neuters or things.
Nom.
Obliqut,
It
Its
For // the praflice of ancient writers was to ufe he, and for
;■//, his.
The poffeflive pronCuns, like other adjeftives, are without
cafes or change of termination.
The pofleflivk of the fitH perfoa is my, mine, our, tun ; of the
fecond, thy, thine, your, yours ; of the third, from he, his ; hoxajhe,
her, and hers ; and in the plural their^ theirs, for both fexes.
Ouri, yeurt, km, tle-rt, are ufed *hen the ftblantive preceding is fcparatcd
by a ve;b, at T^^jirr our Ae«>i. Theft kaki art van. Your ebiUm tsKti oars
infijttirej hut ours Jurpajx yours tn /ei:rn'!Jig.
Can, yiuri, ten, ibtiri, notwithllanding their feeming plural termination,
are applied equally to Angular and plural fubltaotives, as, Ti!>;i hock ii ourt. Theft
betki are ours.
Mitu and ih'mt were formerly ufed before a vowel, as mine amUblthdy ; which,
though now difufed in profe, might be ftill properly continued in poetry : they are
ofed as tun and j'»r>, and are referred to a fubftantive preceding, as thy houfe is
larger than mine, but jny garden if more fpacioui than thim.
Their znd. theirs are the pofleflives likewife o{ they, when they
it the plural of ;>, and are therefore applied to things.
Pronouns relative ZKriuh*, -which, ivhat, tuhether, •who/oever,
%ohatfoei:er.
Sing and Plur.
Nom. Who
Gen. Whofe
Other oblique cafes. Whom
Sing, and Plur.
Nom. Which
Gen. Of which, or whofe
Other oblique cafes. Which.
Wba is now ufed in relation to perfons, and ivhkb in relation to things ; but
they were anciently confounded. At leatt it was common to fay, the roan Vfhlcb,
though 1 remember no example of the thing lubo,
Whaft if rather th« poetical than regular genitive of vihkb :.
The fruit
Of that forbidden tree, ivbefe nwrtal tafie
Brought death into the world. Mitlon,
H^tbtr is only ufed in the nominative and accufative cafei ; and has nc plural,
being applied only to on< of a number, commonly to one of two, as Whether of
Ihtfi ij lift liitvtu not. Whether flyall I tboofe ? It Is now almod obfolete.
What, whether relative or interrogative, is without variation.
IVhofoe'ver, nvhatfoever , being compounded of who 01 "what,
zadfoevcr, follow th« rule of their primitives,
Si
In all cafes, <
Singular.
This
That
Other
Whether
Plural.
Thefe
Thofe
Others
The plural ctbers is not ufed but when it is referred to a fubllantive preceding,
as / huvcfent other korfes. I have nctfint the fame horfcs, but others.
Another, being only an other, has no plural.
Here, there, and 'where, joined with certain particles, have a
relative and pronominal ule. Hereof, herein, hereby, hereafter,
herei'jith, thereof, therein, thereby, thereupon, there-tuith, luhereof,
•wherein, •ivherehy, luhereupon, ivhereivtth, which lignify, of this,,
in this, &c. of that, in that, &C. ofivhieh, inivhich, &C.
Therefore and ivherefore, which are properly, there for and
•where for, for that, for •which, are now reckoned conjunflions,
and continued in ufe. The reft feem to be paffing by degrees
into negleft, though proper, ufeful, and analogous. They are-
referred both to lingular and plural antecedents.
• There are two more words ufed only in conjunftion with pro*
nouns, ciun ^ndfelf.
Oiun is added to polTeflives, both lingular and plural, as my
own hand, our own hciife. It is emphatical, and implies a filent
contrariety or oppofition ; as / li^ve in my oiun houfe, that is, not
in a hired houfe. This 1 did •with my OTvn band, that is, ivithotit
help, or not by proxy.
Selfh added to pofleflives, as myfclf,yourf elves ; and fometimes
to perfonal pronouns, as himfelf, itfelf, themfel-ves. It then, like
own, exprefles emphafis and oppolition, as / did this myfelf,
tliat is, Mt another ^ or it forms a reciprocal pronoun,- as We
hurt oiirfel'ves by •vain ragi.
IVimfdf, itfelf, ibimfelves, are fuppofed by Wallis to be put, hy corruption, for
bit felf, it' JL-lf,. their fjvii ;. (a ihii felf is always a fubllantivc. This feema
juilly obf:rved, for we- fay. He came himfif; Himftlffliall do this ; where himfelf
cannot be an accufatiTC*
Of the V Z V^ ^.
Englifh verb* are afl.iv«, as / lo^ve ;. or neater, z.t.Lliinguif>t
The neuters are formed like the aftives.
Mod verbs fignifying aClhn may likewife fignify condition or hebit, and becoms
neuters, a^ / love, 1 am in luvc j Iflrikc, I am now llrilcing.
Verbs have only two tenfes inflefted in their terminations, the
prefent, and the fimple preterite ; the other tenfes are compounded
of the auxiliary verbs ha've, fhall, •will, let, may, can, and the in*
finitive of the aftive or neuter verb.
The pafiive voice is formed by joining the participle preterite
to the fubftantive verb, as / am loved.
To ha^ve. Indicative Moodi
Prefent Tenfe.
Sing. I have ; thou haft ; he hath or has ;
Fltir. ire have ; ye have ; they have.
Hal is a termination corrupted from hath, hut now more frequently tt<cd botll'-
in verfe and profc.
Simple Preterite.
Sing. I had ; thou hadft ; he had ;
Plur. We had ; ye had ; they had.
Compound Preterite.
Sing. I have had ; thou haft had ; he has or hath had ;
Flur. We have had ; ye have had ; they have had.
PreterpluperfcS.
Sing. I had had ; thou hadft had ; he had had ;-
Plur. We had had ; ye had had ; they had had.
Future.
Sing. I (hall have ; thou (halt have ; he fliall have ;■
Plur. W( (hail have ; yt (hall have ; they Ihall have.
A GRAMMAR OF THE
SeetHd Futurt.
Slug. I will have ; thou, wilt have ; be will have ;
Plur. IVe will have ; ye will have ; they will have.
By Tudiog thele future tcnfci may be obfenred the vuiationt t>{ Jball and
will.
Imperative Mood.
Sing. Have, w have thou ; let him have ;
Plur, Let HI have ; have, or have ye ; let them have,
Conjunflive Mood.
Prefetit.
Sing, I have ; thou have ; he have ; %
Plur. We have ; ye have ; they have.
Preterite fimfle as in the Indicative.
Preterite compound.
Sing, I have had ; /^eu have had ; he have had ;
Plur. Ife have had ; ye have had ; they have had.
Sing, I (hall have ; as in the Indicative.
Second Future,
Sing. I (hall have had ; thou (halt have had ; be (hall have had ;
Plur. We (hall have had ; ye (hall have had j they (hall have had.
Potential.
The potential form of fpeaking is expre(red by may, can, in
the prefent ; and might, could, or Jhould, in the preterite, joined
with the infinitive mood of the verb.
Pre/ent,
Sing. I may have ; thou mayft have ; he may kave{
Plur. We may have ; ye may have; they may ha%'c.
Preterite.
Sing. I might have ; thou mighttt have ; he might have ;
Plur. We might have ; ye might have i they might have.
Prefent.
Sing. I can have ; thoa canft have ; he can have^
Plur. We can have ; ye can have ; they can have.
Preterite.
Sing, /could have ; thou couldft have ; be could have;
J'lur. We could have ; ye could have ; they could have.
In like manner Jhould is united to the verb.
There is likewife a double preterite.
Sing. I Ihould have had ; thou (houldll have had ; be Ihould have
had ;
Plur. We (hould have had ; j'f ihould have had ; they Ihould have
had.
In like manner we ufe, / might have had ; / could have had,
iSc.
In(inttive Mood.
Prefent. To have. Preterite, To have had.
Participle pT if ent. Having. Partiiiple preler. Had.
Verb Aftive. " To lovt.
Indicative. Prefent,
Sing, /love; //^ox loveft ; /v loveth, or loves j
Plur. We love ; ye love ; they love.
Prefer in Jimple.
Sing, /loved; fltoM lovedll ; Af loved;
Plur. We loved ; ye loved ; they lo\'ed.
Prettrperfeit compound. I have loved, ^u
Preterpluperfeil. J had loved, ij(.
Future. J (hall bve, Wc . / will love, ^c.
Imperative.
Sing. Love, «r love thou ; let him love ;
Plur. Let atf love j love, or lovc>* ; let them love.
Conjunftive. Preftnt.
Sing. I love ; thou love ; he love ;
Plur. We love ; ye love ; they love.
Preterite fimple, as in the Indicative.
Preterite compound. I have loved, l^c.
Future. I (hall love, i^c.
Second Future. I fliall have loved, tic.
Potential.
Prefent. I may or can Iwe, t5ff.
Preterite, /might, could, «r (hould Iove,£sf<-.
Double Preterite. J might, could, or (hould have loved, fcff.
Infinitive.
Prtfent. To love. Preterite. To have loved.
Participle prefent. Loving. Participle paft. Loved.
The palTive is farmed by the addition of the participle prete-
rite to the diiFerent tenfes of the verb to be, which muft there-
fore be here exhibited.
Indicative. Prefent,
Sing. I am ; thou art ; he'u;
Plur. We are, or be ; ye are, or be ; they are, or be.
The plural tc is now Uctle in ufe.
Preterite.
Sing. I was ; thou waft, or wert ; A« wa« ;
Plur. We were ; ye were ^ //^{y were.
fyeri is properly of the conjunflive mood, and ought not to be ttfed !a the
indicative.
Preterite compound, /have been, lie-.
Preterpluperfea. I had been, l^c.
Future. I (liall or will be, i£c.
Imperative.
Sing. Be thou ; let him be ;
Plur. Letajbc; be_;v ; Xttthemhe,
Conjunftive, Prefent,
Sing. I be ; thou beeft ; ^^ be ;
Plur. We be ■; _;'^ be ; they be.
Preterite,
Sing. I wpre ; thou wert ; he were;
Plur. We were ; ye were ; they were.
Preterite compound. /Jiave been, ^r.
Future. I (hall have been, ^r.
PotentiaJ.
/ may er can ; would," could, or (hould be ; could, would, w
(hould have been, tSc,
Infinitive.
Prefent, To be. Preterite. To have been.
Participle prefent. Being, Participle preter. Having been.
PalTive Voice. Indicative Mood.
/ an loved, lie. I was loved, ^c I have been loved, He.
If /be loved, ^f.
loved, He,
Conjunftive Mood.
If / were loved, He,
If /ftiall have been
Potential
ENGLISH TONGUE.
Potential Mood,
/may er can be loved, tfr . / might, could, er (hould be loved,
i^c /might, could, er fliould have been loved, (sfc^
Infinitive.
Frtfent. To be loved. Preteriie. To have been loved.
Participle. Loved.
There is another form of Engli(h verbs, in which the infinitive
mood is joined to the verb do in its various infledions, which are
therefore to be learned in this place.
To Do;
Indicative. Prefent,
Sing, I do ; thou doft ; it doth ;
Flur. IVeioijieio; they do.
PreterUf,
Sing. I did ; thou didll ; he did ;
Plur. We did ; ye did ; they did.
Preterite, i^c. / have done, tsfc. /had done, ^c,
Future. I Ihall or will do, ^c.
Imperative.
Sing. Do thou ; let him do;
Flur. Let ut do; ioye; let them do.
Conjunftive. Preftnt.
Sing. / do ; thou do ; ^* do ;
Plur. We do sye do; they do.
The reft are as in the Indicative.
Infiniti've. To do ; to have done.
Participle prefent. Doing. Participle preter. Done.
Do is fometimes ufed fuperfluoufly, as / do love, /did love;
fimply for / love, or / loved; but this is confidered as a vitious
mode of fpeech.
It is fometimes ufed emphatically; as,
/ do love thee, and vihen I love thee net.
Chaos is come again. Shakefpeare.
It is frequently joined with a negative ; " as / like her, hut I
do not love her ; I vjijhed him fuccefi , but did not help him. This,
by cnftom at leaft, appears more eafy than the other form of
cxpreffing the fame fenfe by a negative adverb after the verb, /
like her, but love her not.
The Imperative prohibitory is feldom applied in the fecond
perfon, at leaft in profe, without the word do ; as Stop him, but
do not hurt him ; Praife beauty, but do not dote on it.
Its chief ufe is in interrogative forms of fpeech, in which it is
ufed through all the perfons ; as Do / live ? Doft thou Jlrike
me? Do they rebel ? Did J complain F DidA thou love her? Did
Jhe die ? So likewife in negative interrogations ; Do / not yet
griev!? D\d file not die ?
Do and did are thus ufed only for the prefent and fimple pre-
terite.
There is another manner of conjugating neuter verbs, which,
when it is ufed, may not improperly denominate them neuter
pajjivei, as they are inflefted according to the paffive form by the
help of the verb fubftantive to be. They anfwer nearly to the
reciprocal verbs in Frencli ; as
1 am rifen, furrexi, Latin ; Je me fuis leve, French,
I vjas vjalkedout, exieram ; Je m'etois promene.
In tike manner we commonly exprefs the prefent tenfe ; a;, I am going, to.
1 am grieving, ditto. She is dying, ilia morilur. The temped is raging, /«nf
proctlla. I am purfuing an enemy, brtji^m wjequor. So the other tenfcs, as, tVt
vitr- -uialking, iluyx^nitn <«{iw»lWif, / havt iien v/olkirg, I had ittn walking,
&a^ or ivi/l bt 'walki'^z.
Vol. I.
There Is another manner of ufing the aftive participle, which gives !t a paji
five fignificarion : as, The grammar is now printing, graixmauca jam tiun
charlis mprimilur. The brals is forging, <rrj cxcuduijiur. This is, in my opi-
nion, a vitious exprcflion, probably corrupted from a phrafe more pure, but now
fomewhat obfolete : The took it a printing. The brafs is a forging ; a being pro-
perly at, and printing and forging verbal nouns fignifying ailion, according to
the analogy of this language.
The indicative and conjunflive moods are by modern writers frequently con-
founded, or rather the conjunftive is wholly neglefted, when fome convenience
of verCfication does not invite its revival. It is ufed among the purer writers of
former times after if, though, ere, before, till or until, -whether, except, un/eft,
•whatjofver, luhomfeever, and words of wifhing ; as, Doubilefs ihou art our father,
though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Ifael acknowledge us not,
0/"Irregular Veres.
The Englilh verbs were divided by Ben Jonfon into four con-
jugations, without any reafon arifing from the nature of the lan-
guage, which has properly but one conjugation, fuch as has been
exemplified ; from which all deviations are to be confidered as
anomalies, which are indeed in our monofyllable Saxon verbs,
and the verbs derived from them, very frequent ; but almoft all
the verbs which have been adopted from other languages, follow
the regular form.
Our verbs are obferved by Dr. Wallls to be irregular only in the formation of
the preterite, and its participle. Indeed, in the fcantinefs of our conjugations,
there is fcarcely any other place for irregularity.
The firft irregularity is a (light deviation from the regular
form, by rapid utterance or poetical contraction : the laft plia-
ble ed is often joined with the former by fuppreffionof ^ ; as lov^d
for loved ; after c, cb,fh,f, k, x, and after the confonantsy", th,
when more ftrongly pronounced, and fometimes after m, n, r, if
preceded by a fhort vowel, / is ufed in pronunciation, but very
feldom in writing, rather than d ; as plac't, fnatch't,fjh^t, vjak't,
dvL-eV t , fmel' t ; (or plac'd,/aatch'd,fljh'd, ivak'd, dwel'dffriel'd i
or placed, fnatched,fl/hed, vjaked, divelled , fmelled,
Thofe words which terminate in / or//, or p, m^ke their pre-
terite in /, even in folemn language ; as crept, felt, divelt,
fometimes after *■, ed is changed into /, as vext ; this is not con-
ftant.
A long vowel is often changed into- a Ihort one ; thus, kept,
flept, vjept, crept, f-wept ; from the verbs, to keep, Xajleep, to vieep,
to creep, Xo/iueep.
Where </ or / go before, the additional letter d or /, in thii
contrafted form, coalefce into one letter with the radical d ox t ;
if/ were the radical, they coalefce into / ; but if a' were the ra>
dical, then into d or t, as the one or the other letter may be
more eafily pronounced : as read, kd,fpread, fhed, fhred, bid, hid,
chid, fed, bled, bred,fped,f}rid,Jlid, rid; from the verbs to read,
to lead, tofpread, to Jhed, to /bread, to bid, to hide, to chide, to'
feed, to bleed, to breed, tofpeed, to firide, to flide, to ride. And
thus, caft, hurt, coft, bitrji, eat, beat, fvjeet. Jit, quit, fmit, ivri',
bit, hit, met, jhot ; from the verbs to cafi, to hurt, to ccfl, to
burfi, to eat, to beat, to f-weat, to fit, to quit, to fmite, to vjrite,
to bite, to hit, to meet, to fhoot. And in like manner, lent, fent,
rent, girt ; from the verbs to lend, to fend, to rend, to gird.
The participle preterite or pafTive is often formed in en, in-
ftead of ed ; as been, taken, given, flain, knovjn ; from the verbs
lobe, to take, to give, to flay, to know.
Many words have two or more participles, as not only vuritten,
bitten, eaten, beaten, hidden, chidden, fhotten, chofen, broken ; but
likewife imit, hit, eat, beat, hid, chid, fhot, chofe, broke, arc pro-
mifcuoufly ufed in the participle, from the verbs to vurite, to
bite, to eat, to beat, to hide, to chide, to fhoot, to cboofe, to break,
and many fuch like.
In the fame manneryoTt;^, fhevjn, hevin, movin, loaden, laden,
as well a.sfoiv'd, fhevi'd, hevj'd, moiv'd, loaded, laded, from the
verbs to yoTLu, to fhevi, to hevi, to movj, to load, or lade.
Concerning theie double participles it is difficult to give any
rule ; but he ftiall feldom err who remembers, that when a verb
I has a participle diftinft from its preterite, as tf:riu, ivrote, ivrit-
len, that diftindt participle is more proper and elegaat, as Tite
h iook
A GRAMMAR OF THE
ie*i is written, is better th»n Tin book is wrote. UWoie however
may be oled in poetry ; at lead if we allow any authority to
poets, who, in the exultation of genius, think therafclves perhaps
entitled to trample on grammarians.
There are other anomalies in the preterite.
1. Win, /fin, begin, Jnuim, ftriitt, ftick, ft'ig, fling, fling, ring,
nuring, I'friiig, J'lving, drink. Jink, Jhrink, ftink, come, run,fiitd^
hind, grind, tuind, both in the preterite, imperfeft, and partici-
ple palfive, give -iich, /pun, begun, Jivum, flruck, ftuck, Jung,
flung, flung, rung, iorung,/prung,/'Wiing, drunk,J'unk, Jhrunk, flunk,
camt, run,fouhd, bound, ground, ivound. And moft of them are
alfo formed in the preterite by a, as began, rang, Jang, fprang,
drank, came, nh, and fome others ; but moft of thefe are now
obfolete. Some in the participle paflive likewife take en, as
J}ricken,flrucken, drunken, boundtn.
2. Fight, teach, reach, Jeek, hejeech, catch, buy, bring, think,
rtvork, make fought, taught, raught, Jought, bejoughl, caught,
bought, brought, thought, 'wrought.
But a great many of thefe retain likewife the regular form,
as teached, reached, bejeeched, catcbed, tvorked.
ak,
3. Take, jhake, forjake, luake, axvake, fland, break, Jp.
hear , fljear ,JiMear , tear, t.\iear,iuea've, cleave, flrive, thri-ve, drii/e,
Jhine, rije, arije, Jmile, ivrite, bide, abide, ride, cbooje, chuje,
tread, get, beget, forget, feethe, make in both preterite and partici-
ple tookr Jhook, forjook, ■woke, awoke , flood , broke, Jpoke, bore,Jhorc,
Jwore, tore, 'wore, 'wo've, clove, flrove, thro<ve, dro've, Jhone, rofe,
aroJe,Jmote, lurote, bode, abode, rode, choje, trode, got, begot, for-
got, Jod. But we fay likewife, thri-ve, riJe, Jmit, ivrit, nbid,
rid. In the preterite fome are likewife formed by a, as brake,
/pake, bare, Jhare, /-ware, tare, 'ware, clave, gat, begat, forgat,<
and perhaps fome others, bit more rarely. In the participle
paflive many of them are formed by en, as taken, /haken, J'or-
Jaken, broken, Jpoken, born, Jhorn, J'worn, torn, 'worn, 'wo'ven,
flo'ven, thri'ven, driven, rifen, fmitten, ridden, chojen, troddat, got-
ten, begotten, forgotten, fodden. And many do likewife retain
the analogy in both, as 'waked, a'waked, /beared, txiectved, lea-ved,
abided, feet bed.
4. Gi've, bid, fit, make in the preterite ga've, bade, fate; in
the participle paflive, giijen, bidden, fitten ; but in both lid.
5. Dravj, ino'w, gro'w, throtv, bloiu, croi.u like a cock, fly,
Jlay, Jee, ly, make their preterite dre'w, kne'w, greiv, threvo,
hienu, crevi, flc'w, fle'v>,Ja'w, lay; their participles paflive by »,
dra'wn, knovjn, gro'wn, thro'wn, blovjn, flotvn, flain, Jeen, lien,
lain. Yet from flee is made fled; from go, -went, from the old
nxiend, the participle is gotie.
Of Derivation.
Th»( the Engli(h language may b« more eafily underftnod, it is ntccflary to
encjuire how its derivative words are deduct from their primitives, and how the
primitives are borrowed from other languages. In this enquiry I fhall fome-
times copy Dr. Wallis, and f«mctimes endeavour to fupply his dei'"efts, and rec-
tify his errouts.
Nouns are derived from verbs.
The thing implied in the verb, as done or produced, is com-
monly either the prefent of the verb; as tolove, /e-uf ; to fright,
^fright; to fight, 3i.flght; or the preterite of the verb, as, to
flrike, I ftrick or ftrook, zflroke. ,
The aftion is the fame with the participle prefent, as loving,
frighting, fighting, flriking.
The agent, or perfon afting, is denoted by the fyllable er
added t« the verb, as lo'vcr, fighter, flriker.
Subllantives, adjeftives, and fometimes other parts of fpeech,
are changed into verbs : in which cafe the vowel is often
kngthened, or the confonant foftened ; as a houfe, to houfe ;
brafs, to braze; glafs, to glaze; grzis, to graze ; price, to prize ;
breath, to breathe; a filh, to fi/h ; oil, to oil; further, to fur-
ther ; forward, to forward ; hinder, to hinder.
Sometimes the termination en is added, efpecially to ad-
jc£lives J 34 hafte, t» iaflen ; length, to lengthtn ; Jtrength, to
' I
ftrengthen ; (hort, to flporten ; faft, t§ fsflen j white, te •wbiien p
black, to blacken; hard, to harden ; foft, to /often.
From fubftantives are formed adjeilives of plenty, by adding
the termination y; as a loufe, lou/y ; wealth, 'wealthy ; healths
healthy ; might, mighty ; worth, 'worthy ; wit, 'witty ; luft, lufly ;
water, luatery ; earth, earthy ; wood, a wood, 'woody ; air, airy j
a heart, hearty ; a hand, handy.
From fubltantives are formed adjeftives of plenty, by adding
the termination />//, denoting abundance; as }oy, Joyful ; fruit,
fruitj'ul ; youth, youthful; care, careful; ufe, uj'efuh, delight^
deligbtj'ul; p\twVj , plentiful ; he\p, he/pfut.
Sometimes, in almoft the fame fenie, but with fome kind of
diminution thereof, the termin.ition fome is added, denoting
/oinetbing, or in/ome degree, ; as delight, delight/ome; game, game"
/ome; irk, irkj'ome ; burden, burdenjomei trouble, troublesome i
light, lightjome ; hand, handjome ; alone, lone/ome ; toil, tailjomt.
On the contrary, the termination le/s added to fubltantives,
makes adjectives fignifying want; as ivorthle/s, ivitlefj, heart'
le s, joyleji, careUfs, helflefu Thus comfort, ccmfortlefs ; fap,
faple/s.
Privation or contrariety is very often denoted by the par-
ticle «« prefixed to many adjedtives, or in before words derived
from the Latin ; as pleafant, unpleafant ; Wife, univife ; profit-
able, unprofitable ; patient, impatient. Thus unworthy, unhealthy,,
unfruitful, unufeful, and many more.
The original Englifh privative is un; but as we often borrow from the Latin,
or its defendants, words already fignifying privation, as mtffcac'avs, ttnf'aut^
mi't/rcet, the inleparable particles un and in have fallen into confufion, froia
which it is not cafy to dilentangle them.
Un is prefixed to all words "orginally EngUih ; as untrue, untruth, uniaugbtt
unkandfome.
Un is prefixed to all participles made privative adjcftives, as unfeeling, uruijpjt-
ing, unaided, unddigbud, unendeared.
Un ought never to be prefixed to a participle prefent, to mark a forbearance of
aftion, as unjighing ; but a privation oi habit, as unpitying.
Un is prefixed to moft fubftantives which have an Engliih termination, as un-
fertilcneji^ unpcr/e&nefi, which, if they have borrowed terminations, take in or iw,
as infertility, inpir/e^fion ; uncivil, incivility ; una^ivc, incBl-vity.
In borrowing adjedtives, if we receive them already compounded, it is ufual
tojrctoin the partich prefixed, as indecent, inelegatt, impnJKr; but if we borrow
the adjcftive, and add the privative particle, w,; commonly prefix un, as unfdite,
ungaltant.
The prepofitive particles dit and mis, derived from the det
and mes of the French, fignify almoft the fame as un ; yet dis
rather imports contrariety than privation, fince it anfwers to
the Latin prepofition de. Mis inCnuates fome error, and for
the moft part may be rendered by the Latin words male or fer-
peram. To like, to diflike ; honour, di/honour ; to honour, to
grace, to di/honour, to di/graei; to deign, to di/deign; chance,
hap, mi/chance, mipap ; to take, to miflake ; deed, mi/deed ;
to ufe, to tHifufe ; to employ, to mifemploy ; to apply, to mij-
apply.
Words derived from Latin written with de or dis retain the
fame fignification ; as diflingui/h, diftinguo ; detraS, detraho j
de/ame, defamo ; detain, detineo.
The termination ly added to fubftantives, and fometimes to
adjedives, forms adjeftives that import fome kind of fimilitudc
or agreement, being formed by contraftion of lick or like.
A giant, giantly , giantlike ; earth, earthly ; heaven, beavtiilyi
\vot\6., ivorldly ; God, godly; good, goodly..
The fame termination ly added to adjeftives, forms adverb*
of like fignification ; as beautiful* beautifully ; fweet, fweetly ;
that is, in a beautiful manner ; 'with fome degree ofjhveetnejs.
The termination ijh added to adjeftives, imports diminution;
and added to fubftantives, imports fimilitude or tendency to a
charader; as green, greeni/h ; white, 'whiti/h ; ioit, fofti/h; a
thief, thievi/h; a wolf, •wol'viflj; a child, childi/h.
We have forms of diminutives in fubftantives, thotigh not
frequent; as a hill, a hillock; a cock, a cockrtl; a pike, a
pickrel; this is a French termination: a goofe, a gofiing; this
is a German rfrmination : a lamb, a lambkin ; a chick, a chicken ;
a man, a manikin ; a pipe, a pipkin \ and thus Halkin, whence the
patroniniick, Havikini; Wilkin, Thomkin, and others.
Yet
ENGLISH TONGUE.
Yet ftUl there h »not1>«r fcrm of diminution among the Englilh, by leflening
tJw found itfelf, efpecially of vowels ; as there is a form of augmenting them
by eolargingi or even lengthening it} and that fumetimcs not fo much by
thange of the letters, as o? their pronunciation ; as fuf, Jif, jmf, Jif, fiffit,
where, bolides the extenuation of the vowel, there is added tlie French termina-
tion ft ; tif, up; ffit, Jfoui; hebt, baby ; baby, (iitaic, great pronounced long,
efpecially if with a llroDgcr found, grta-t ; /;Vf/f pronounced long, /«.?/; j ling,
tang, long, imports a fuccelHon of fmaller and then greater founds; and fo in
jinglifjangU, tingle, tangle, am^ many other made words.
Much however if this ii arbitrary and fanciful, Aefcr.d'tng •wltlly on eral ut-
terance, and thcrifort fcarcely lucrihy the notice of ffallis,
Of concrete adjeftives are made abllraft fubftantives, by add-
ing the termination tir/t, and a few in booc/ or btacf, noting
charafter or qualities ; as white, luhitenefs ; hard, harcinefs ;
great, greatnefs ; flcilful, Jkilfulnefs , unjiilfuliiefs ; godhead, man-
hood, maidenhead, luidetvbood, knighthood, priejihood, likelihood,
faljehood.
There are other abftrafts, partly derived from adjeftives, and
partly from verbs, which are formed by the addition of the ter-
mination th, a fmall change being fometimes made ; as long,
\ length; Arong, _firength.; broad, breadth; wide, ixidth ; deep,
depth; true, truth; v/3.rm, luarmth ; desLr , dearth ; How, fleavth ;
merry, mirth ; heal, health; well, weal, ivealth; dry, drtughth ;
yoaag, jcuth; 3.nd {o moon, month.
Like thefe are forae words derived from verbs ; die, death ;
till, tilth ; grow, groimh ; mow, later tnoicth, after niovj'th ;
commonly fpoken and written later math, after math ; (leal,
Jiealth ; bear, birth ; rue, ruth ; and probably earth from to
ear ot plonu; &y,J!ighti weigh, -wei^t ; flay, /right; to draw,
draught.
Tbcfc ^uld rather be written Jligbti, frighih, only that cuftom wiU no'
fuffer i> to be twice repeated.
The fame form retain faith, (fight, v/retlbe, wraib, troth, froth, breath,
J'xth, worth, light, ivigbi, and the like, whofe primitives are either entirely
obfoletc, or feldom occur. Perhaps they arc derived inta fey 0'fy,Jfy, v)ry,
wreak, brew, m9U3,fry, bray, jay, vtcri*
Some ending in Jbip imply an office, employment, or con-
dition ; as kingjhif, luardjhip, guardianfbip, partiurjhip , fieivard-
Jhif, headfhip, lordjhip.
TTios wtrfi'ip, that is, vmtbpif ; whence vmjtiffu!, and to ten-jhif.
Some few ending in dom, rick, •wick, do efpecially denote
dominion, at leaft ftate or condition ; as kingdom, dukedom,
earldom, princedom, popedom, chriflendom, freedom, ivifdom, 'whore-
dom, bijhoprick, hailyiuick.
Ment and age are plainly French terminations, and are of
the (ame import with us as among them, fcarcely ever occur-
ring, except in words derived from the French, as command-
ment, u/age.
There are in Englifli often long train) of words allied by their meaning and
derivation } as f^ iw/, a bat, balcin, a battle, a beetle, a battle-door, id batter,
batter, a kind of glutinous compofition for food, made by beating different bo-
dies into one mal's. All thefe are of fimilar flgnification, and perhaps derived
from the Latin latui:. Thus take, imh, tickle, tack, tackle ; all imply a local
conjunSlofl, from the Latin tango, teiigi, taflum.
From izi'o are formed tivain, twice, twenty, twelme, twins, twine, twill, tivirl,
fwig, twit,B, twinge, between, betwixt, twilight, twibil.
The following remarks, extraQci from Wallis, an ingenious, but of more
fnktlety than folidity, and fuch as perhaps might in every language be enlarged
without end.
Sn ufually imply the n<jft, and what relates to it. From the Latin nafu,
ire deriwd the French mn and the Englilh mfe ; and ne/fe, a promontory, ai
proj-.lir. • like a nnfc. But as if from the cunlonants ai taken from ma/us,
an<i tri-iMfcd, that they may the better correfpond, /« denote nafui ; ini
tlitnrc arc d'a'ived many words that relate to the nofe, as fnout, fneeze, fnore,
fm-r, freer, Jmckir, jm*, Jneyil, fnke, huf, Jnuffle, fmifflc, Jnarle, f nudge.
There is another fn, which may perhaps be derived from the Latin Jinu}, as
fiuif, fneak, fnail, fnare ; (b likewife fnaf and /natch, /nib, /nub.
Bl imply a bh/} ; as A.'«ti, blafl, t(, bhji, to blight, and, metaphorically, to
Halt ones reputation ; bitat, bleak, a bleak place, to look bleak or wcather-
beatrn, bitak, thy, bleach, blufier, blurt, blijier, blab, bladder, bleb, bitfier, blab-
b-r-lit-t, blahh'r-chrtft, bl-jttd, bhte-herring!, blaji, blaM, ttblnu, that is, bh/.
/on, ilo'.m i jnd prrhap, hlood and blu/h.
ia '.he nauvc worJ^ of vur wngue is to bt fwnJ a great agreement between
the letters and the things fignified ; and therefore the founds t>f letters fmjller,
(harper, louder, clofer, fofter, ftronger, clearer, n>nre obfcurc, and more ftridu'
lotts, do very often intimate the like effefls in the things fjgnihed.
Thus words that begin with fr intimate the force and cffeft of the thinj
lignified, as if probably derived from rjiwu/xi, orftrenuus; a jlrong, firergth^
Jtrew, jirike, flreah, jirote, flrife, /frive, /irif:, ftruggle, /irout, /Irut, firetch,
Jirait,firiB, ftreight, that is, narrow, di/fraiti, fircfi, Jiflrt/t, jlring, flraf, Jlream,
jireamer, /irand, /Irip, fray, jiruggle, frangc, /Iride, ftraddte.
St in like manner imply Itrength, but in a lefj degree, fo much only as is
fufficient to preferve what has been already communicated, rather than acquire
any new degree } a» if it were derived from the Latin y?o •• for ixitnyk, /land, Jlay,
chat is, to remain, or to prop; flaff, jlay, that is, to oppnk ; fnp, to fluff,
jl'fie, to /lay, that is, to flop; a flay, that is, an oh^zeXt:; flick, flut, flutter,
jiammer, flaggcr, flickh, flick, flake, a ftiarp pale, and any thing depofited
at play ; /lock, flem, fling, to fling, flink, flitch, flud, j>,anchion, flub, ftubbU, t»
flub up, flump, vihenctflumble, flalk, to flalk,flep, toflnr'f with the feet, whence
to flamp, that is, to make an impreifion and ^ iiamp ; flov:, to floiu, to bcfltrzv,
fleward or floward, /had, fleady, flcadfafl, flahle, a flable, a flail, to flail, flool,
flail, flill, ftall, flallagc, flail, fiagc, fiiU adj. and fill adv. flak, flout, flmdy,
fleed, fleet, flalli'n, fliff, flark-dcad, to flarvc with hunger or cold ; ftore, ftcel,
flem, fiancb, to Jianch blood, to flare, flctp, flecple, /iair,fliindard, a ftated mea-
'(are, flately. In ail thefe, and pcihapsi fome others, yi denote fomethirg £iia
and fixed.
Ter imply a more violent degree of motion, at ibrow, thnfi, throng, throb,
through, threat, threaten, ttrall, thnwi,
Wr imply fomc fi>rt of obliquity or dlftortion, as wry, to vjrcatie, wrejt,
tvrc/ik, lurhtg, wrong, wrinch, ivrench, wrangle, turinkle, wrath, wreak, xvrack,
W'ltcb, •wr/t, wrap.
Sto impiy a filent agitation, or a fofter kiru}. of lateral motion ; as /way,
/wag, to /way, /wagg^r, /wcrve, jnueat, /weep, jwHI, /wim, /wing, /wift , /weet,
Jiviich, Jivir.ge.
Nor is there much djfterence of /« in fmootb, fmug, /mile, /mirk, /mite, which
fignifies the fame as to flrike, but is a fofter word ; Jmall, /mcll, /mack.Jmcihcr,
Jmari, a /mart blow properly fignilie^ futh a kind of llroke as with an originally
filcnt motion, implied in /m, proceeds to »qulck violence, denoted by ar fud-
denly ended, as is (hewn by t.
CI denote a kind of adliefion or tenacity, as in cleave, clay, cling, climb,
clamber, clammy, cla/p, to cla//>, to clip, to clinch, cloak, clog, clo/e, to clo/e, a clod,
a clot, as a clot of blood, chuied cream, ercluitit, a elufler.
Sp imply a kind of diHipation or expanfion, efpecially a quick one, particii-
lariy if tliere be an r, aa if it were from fparpo, or /iparo t for example, /prcad,
f^ffg' jfig, /prout, Jprinkle, /plit, /plinter, /pill, /pit, /putter, /patter.
SI denote a kind of filent fall, or a lefs obfervablc motion ; as in Jlime, Jlidtt
flip, flipper, fly, Jleight, fl:t, flow, flack, flight, fling, flap.
And fo likcwife ajh, in cra/h, ra/b, gap, flalh, cla/h, lejh, fla/h, pla/h, trap,
indicate fonicthing adjing more nimbly and (harply. But u]h, in eru/h, rujh,
gujh, fiujb, blu/h, briifi, hu/b, pup, implies fumething as afling more obtufely
and duily. Yet in bjtli tlierc is indicated a fwlft and fudden motion, not in-
Ihntajicous, but gradual, by the continued foundyS.
Thus in fling, fling, ding, /wing, cling, f.ng, wring, fling, the tingling of
the termination ng, and the tliarpnefs of the vowel j, imply the continuation of
a very ilendcr motion or tremor, at length indeed saniOiing, but not fuddenly
interrupted. But in tir.k, wink, Jink, clink, chink, think, that end in a mute
confonant, there is alfo indicated a fudden ending.
It there be an /, as in jingle, tingle, tinkle, mingle, /prinkle, twinkle, there is
implied a frequency, or iteration of fmall adli. And the fame frequency of a£ls,
hut lefs fubtile by rcafon of the clearer vowel a, is indicated in jangle, tangle,
j'pangle, mangle, tvrangle, brangle, dangle ; as alfo in mumble, grumble, jumble,
tumhlt, flun<hU, rumble, crumble, fumble. But at the fame time the clofc u im-
plies fometliing obfcure or obtunded ; and a congeries of confonants rnbl, dcnotei
a confufed kind of rolling or tumbling, as in ramble, /camble, /cramble, wamble,
amhle ; but in thefe there is fomcthing acute.
In nimble, the acutcnels of the vowel denotes celerity. In /parkle, /p denotes
dilTipatioii, ar an acute crackling, k a fudden interruption, /a frequent iteration j
and in like manner in /prinkle, unlefs in may impiy the fubtility of the diffi.
pated guttulcs. Thick and thin differ, in tliat the former ends with an obtufc
confonant, and the latter with an acute.
In like manner, m/jucck, /jueak,/qucal, /quail, braul, wraul,yaul,/paul, /creek,
/hriei, prill, parp, privel, wrinkle, crack, crafl->, clap, gnap, pla/h, crup, hup,
l"Jp, fijjc, whifl, J'ft, jarr, hurl, curl, whirl, buz:, buflic, /pindle, dwindle, twine,
iwfl, and in many more, we may obfcrvc the agvcemcnt of fuch fort of founds
with the things fignified : and this fo freijuently happens, that fcarce /ny language
which 1 know can be compared viith ours. So that one monofyllabic word, of
which kind are almoft all ours, emphatically expreffes what in other language*
can fcarce be explained but by compounds, or decompounds, or fometimes a
tedious circumlocution.
We have many words borrowed from the Latin ; but the
greateft part of them were communicated by the intervention
of the French ; as grace, face, elegant, elegance, re/emble.
Some verbs, which feem borrowed from the Latin, are form*
ed from the prefent tenfe, and fome from the fiipines.
From the prefent are formed fpend, expend, expendo ; conJuce»
conduce ; defpi/e, defpicio ; approve, approbo ; conitiw, con-
cipio.
h 2 from
A GRAMMAR OF THE
From the Cv^Ims, /npfJicatt, fupplico ; dtmtnftraie, demonftro ;
Jiff oft, difpono ; ixpatiaie, expatior ; /upprefs, fupprimo ; exempt,
cximo.
Nothing It more apparent, than diatWallis goo too far in quell of originals.
Many of tbefe which fcem felejted as immediate defcendanta from the Latin,
are appirentl; Ficnch, as conceive, affrtmt, exfofi, txcmft.
Some words purely French, not derived from the Latin, we
have transferred into our language ; as garden, garter, buckler, to
aJi'ttttce, to cry, to plead, from the French, Jardin,jartier, bouclier,
A-vancer, crier, plaider ; though indeed, even of thefe, part is of
Latin original.
As to many words which we have in common with the Germans, it is doubt-
flU whether the old Teutons borrowed them from the Latins, or the Latins
ftom the Teutons, or both had tlicm from fome common original ; as v)'tnt,
vinum ; ixi'md, vcntus ; wf»f, veni ; icay, via ; •tvall, vallum ; ivalkia, volvo ;
tinol, vtilus ; lu'xll, volo ; imrm, vermis { ■u'tirtb, virtus ; waff, vefpa ; Jay,
dies; Sravt, traho ; tame, domo, i'(t/>caar; yoke, jugum, ^fDy*?; over, upper,
fuper, iir«; ; am, fum, Hfju ; ireji, frango ; fy, volo j ilc^v, flo. I make no
doubt but the Teutonick is more ancient than the Latin; and it is no leff
certain, that the Latin, which borrowed a great number of words, not only
from the Greek, efpccially the ^olick, but from other neighbouring languages,
a) the ©fcan and others, which have long become ohfolete, received not a few
from the Teutonick. It is certain, that the EngliOi, German, and other Teu-
tonick languages, retained fome derived from the Greek, which the Latin has
not ; as ex, aebs, mit, ford, pfurd, daughter, tocbter, mick/e, mingle, moon,
fear, grave, gra^, to grave, tojcrape, vjbole, from i^irn, /j^ira, ma^ixo^, ^yyar^f ,
utyaXo^, fxiyfCv, fMr,m, ^^^ii, y^a'^ai, cXof. Since they received thefc immediate-
ly from the Greeks, without the intervention of the Latin language, why may
not other words be derived immediately from the fame fountain, though they be
likcwife found among the Latins ?
Our anceftors were ftudious to form borrowed words, however
long, into monofyllables ; and not only cut off the formative
terminations, but cropped the firll fyllable, efpecially in words
beginning with a vowel ; and rejefted not only vowels in the
middle, but likewife confonants of a weaker found, retaining the
Wronger, which feem the bones of words, or changing them for
others of the fame organ, in order that the found might become
the fofter ; but efpecially tranfpofing their order, that they might
the more readily be pronounced without the intermediate vowels.
For example, in expendo, _/5>Ma' ; txemp]um, /ample ; excipio,
/cape ; extraneus, grange ; extraftum, ^retch'd ; excrucio, to
/creiv i exfcorio, to/our ; excorio, to/courge ; excortico, to /cratch ;
and others beginning with ^jr .• as alfo, emendo, to mend; epif-
copus, hipop ; in Danifh, hi/p\ epillola, epi/ile; hofpitale, /fit-
tie J Hifpania, Spain ; hiiloria,y?(7ry.
Many of thefe etymologies are doubtful, and fame evidently miftaken.
The following are fomewhat harder, Alexarier, Sander ; Elifabeiha, Betty ;
apis, hee\ aper, bar\ p paOing into h, as in bijhop ; and by cutting off a from
the beginning, which is reftored in the middle : but for the old bar or hare,
We now fay hoar ; as for lartg, long ; for bain, bane ; for fiane, flcne ; aprugna,
braton, p being changed into b, and a tranfpnfed, as in afer, and g changed
intow, as in pignus, paton ; lege, latu ; iXoirnJ, fox; cutting off me begin-
ning, and changing/! into f, as in pellis, a fell; pullus, a foal; pater, father;
pavor,y<ar ; polio, jf/V; pIco, impleo, _^//, /a//; pifcis, ^i ; and tranfpofing o
into the middle, which was taken from the beginning; apex, apiece; peak,
pike; zofhoia$, freeze; muftum, JIum; defenfio, fence; difpenfator, fpencer ;
afculto, efcouter, Fr. fcout ; exfcalpo, /(rape, redoring / indead of r, and hence
fhap, fcrahle, Icrawl; exculpo, /coop ; exterrltus, Jlart ; extonitus, attonitus,
fitnn'd; ftomachus, maw; o&etiio, fined ; obftipo, y7o)> ; audere, dare; cavere,
xvare; whenrc a-iuare, he-tvare, ivary, ivarn, warning, for the Latin .1/ con -
fonant formeilv founded like our w, and the modern found of the v confonant
was formerly that of the letter y, that is, the i^o'.ick digamma, which had the
found of ^, and the modern found of the letter /"was that of the Greek ip or pb ;
ulcus, ulcere, ulcer^ fre, and hence ferry, jorrotv, jorrovjful; ingenium, engine,
gin; fcalenus, leaning, unlrfs you w.juld rather derive it from xXivv, v.-hence in-
clino ; infundibulum, funnel ; gagate:, jctt ; projeilum, to jctt forth, a jetty ;
cucullus, a civil.
There are fyncopes fomewhat harder; from tempore, time; from nomine,
Tame ; domina, eLtme ; as the French b-.mme, femme, r.om, fromlipminc, fceraina,
nomine. Thua pagina, page ; «roTn{im, pot ; tamtWa., cup ; cantharus, can ;
tentorium, lint ; precor, pray ; prxda, prey ; fpecio, fpeculor, Jpy ; plico, ply ;
implico, im^/y ; replico, rrf« ; complico, rom/i/y ; fedes epifcopalis,^v.
■ A vowel is alfo cut off in the middle, that the number of the fyllable?
may be leffened ; ai aroita, aunt; fpiritus, ^ri^i/ ; dcbitum, debt; dubito,
tUnbt ; com^5, comitis, count ; ckticus, clerk ; quietus, ^uit, quite ; acquieto,
(» Mf^t; feparo, r« Jp<irt\ &al>ilis> ^uiU; lUbuluni; Jiable j fa^atiym^ pp-
lace, place ; rabula, rail ; rnel, viraul, Irawf, raile, Irthh \ l]UiefitiO(
queft.
At alfo a confonant, or at lead one of 1 fofter found, or even a whole fyl-
lable ; rotundus, round; fragilis, /rai/ ; fecurus, /vn ; regula, rule; tegula,
tile ; fubtilis, futtle ; nomen, noun ; decanus, dean ; computo, rntiir ; fubita-
ncui, fuddain, foon ; fuperare, tofoar; periculum, ^^i/; mirabile, marvel; as
magnus, mo/R ; dignor, <fW^ii ; Xingo, JIain; tin3um, /.linr ; pingo, ^o>»; prx-
dari, reach,
The contraftions may feem harder, where many of them meet, as xit^ioju;,
kyrk, church; prejbyter, frir/? ; facrillanus,y<x.'cn; frango, fregi, irrj>, irraii j
fagus, ^vya, beech ; f changed into b, and g into cb, which are letters near
a-kin; frigefco,yr«ai£; Wigeko, frefh, fc \n«> p, slz TAioyt in hifbcp, fijh, fo in
fcapha,^iy,yl(^, and refrigefco, refrejh ; butvirefcOj/r^; phlcbotomusjj^rain ;
bovina, huf; vitulina, vtal; fcutifer, fjuire ; pcenitentia, penance; fandtua-
rium, fanHuary, fentry ; qusfitio, chafe; perquifitio, purchaje; anguilla, «/;
Jnfula, ijle. He, iflar.d, i'anJ ; infuletta, iflet, u'el ; eyght ; and more contrafledly
ey, whence Ovijney, Ruhy, Ely ; ciaminare, to fan, namely, by rejeiling from
the beginning and end t and 0, accord'mg CO the ufual manner, the remainder
xamin, which tlie Saxons, who did not ufe *, write cfamen, or fcamen, is con-
tracted into yr an ; as from dominus, don; nomine, noun; Ahomlno, ban ; and
indeed apum cxamen they turned into fciame ; for which we fay ftvjrme, by
inferting r to denote the murmuring ; thefaurus, fiore ; fedile, fiuol ; w'o;,
•uiet ; fudo, fweat ; gaudium, gay ; jocus, joy ; fuccus, juice ; catena, chain j
caliga, calga ; chaufe, chaulTe, Fr. hcfi ; extinguo, ftancb, fquencb, fucnchf
ftint; (otii, forth; {fCcXts, fpice ; recito, read; adjuvo, aid; a\vi, a;vum, erff
age, ever ; noccus, lock ; excerpo, fcrape, fcrahbU, fcratul ; extravagus, flray,
ftraggle; c.o\\t&\itn, clot, clutch; cnlligo, coil; recoUigo, recoil; feveio, fivear ;
iWduluSj^ri//; procurator, ^roxy ; pulfo, ro /i»/!!> ; calamus, a quill; impetere,
to impeach; augeo, auxi, tv<ix; and vanefco, vanui, TJane ; fyllabare, tofpelli
puteus, ^ir; granum, ccrn ; compritno, cramp, crump, crumple, crinkle.
Some may feem harOier, yet may not be reje^ed, for it at lead appears,
that fome of them are derived from proper names, and there are others whofe
etymology is acknowledged by every body ; as Alexander, Elick, Scanjer, San-
der, Sanny, Sandy; Eiizabetha, Eiixabeth, Elifaheth, Betty, Befi; Margareta,
Margaret, Margct, Meg, Peg ; Maria, Mary, Mai, Pal, Malkin, Mawkin,
Matokcs; Matthaeus, Mattlu, Ma'tbew ; Martha, Matt, Pat; Gulielmus,
IVilhelmus, Cirolamo, Guillaume, miliam, fVitl, Bill, fTiUm, HHcken, fTicki,
fTeeh.
Thus cariophyllus, flos ; gerofilo, leal, giriflee, gilofer, Fr. gillifiovter, \vhich
the vulgar call julyfloiuer, as if derived from the month July ; petrofclinum,
parjley; portulaca, ^wr/Jjm ;cydonium, quince; cydoniatum, quiddeny ; perfi-
cum, peach ; cruca, eruke, which they corrupt to ear-viig, as if it took its
name from the ear ; annulus geminus, a gimmal, or gimbal ring ; and thus the
word gimbal and jumbal is transferred to other things thus interwoven ; quelques
chofes, kickfbaivi. Since the origin of thefe, and many others, however forced,
is evident, it ought to appear no wonder to any one if the ancients have thus
disfigured many, efpecially as they fo much affefted monofyllables ; and, to
make them found the fofter, took this liberty of maiming, taking away, chang-
ing, tranfpofing, and foftening them.
But while we derive thefe from the Latin, I do not mean to fay, that many
of them did not immediately 'come to us from the Saxon, DanUh, Dutch, and
Teutonick languages, and other dialedls, and fome taken more lately from the
French, or Italians, or Spaniards.
The fame word, according to its different Cgnifications, often has a diflferent
origin; »s to bear a burden, (com fero; but to bear, whence birth, born, bairn,
comes from pario, and a bear, at leaft if it be of Latin original, (com f era,
Thas perch, a fifli, ftomperca; but perch, a meafure, from pertica, and like-
wife ro^frri. To fpett is from Jyllaba ; hut fpell, an inchantmcnt, by which
it is believed that the boundaries are fo fixed in lands, that none can pafs them
againft the mailer's will, from expello ; and fpell, a me(Tenger, from epijlola ;
whence gofpel, good-fpell, or god-Jpell, Thus frcefe, or freexe, from frigejco ;
but /"«««, an architeflonic word, from xophorus; bat freefe, for cloth, from
Frifia, or perhaps from frigefco, as being more fit than any other for keeping out
the cold.
There are many words among us, even monofyllables, compounded of two or
more words, at leaft ferving inftead of compounds, and comprifing the fignifi-
cation of more words than one ; as from fcrip and roll, comes fcrcll ; from froud
and dance, prance ; from ft of the verb Jlay, or Jland and c:a, is made/oar ;
from flout and hardy, flurdy ; from fp of fpit or fpevi, and out, comes fpout j
from the dmn fp, with the termination in, \% fpin; and iii\n%oul,fpin tut ;
and'from the Um&fp, with /'/, is fpit, which only differs ftom fpout m that it
is fmaller, and with lei's noife and force ; but fputter is, becaufe of the obfcure
V, fomething between fpit and (pout ; and by reafon of adding r, it intimates
a frequent iteration and noife, but cbicurely confufed : whereas fpatter, on ac-
count of the (harper and clearer vowel a, intimates a more diftiniS noife, in
whiih it chiefly differs from fputter. From the dmefp, and the termination
ark, comas fpark, fignifying a fingle cmifiion of fire with a noife ; namely, j^
the cniiOion, ar the more acute noife, and k the mute confonant, intimates its
being fuddenly terminated ; but adding /, is made the frequentative fparkle.
The famc_y^, by adding r, that is fpr, implies a more lively impecus of diffufing
or expanding itfclf; to which adding the termination ing, it becomes J^rjn^ ;
its vigour fpr imports, its fiiarpnefs the termination ing; and lalHy in acute and
tremulous, ending in the mute confonant g, denotes, the fudden ending of any
motion, that it is meant in its primary fignificatioo, of a finglr, not a com-
plicated exilition. Hence we call fpring whatever has an elallick force : as
alfo a fountain of water, and thence the origin of any thing ; and to fpring,
to germinate J and fpring, gnc vf Uis fpur f«afoasi Froio ths faroc ^r and
tut,
ENGLISH TON.GUE.
Hit, U formed ffrtul, «nJ with tie termination ig, ffrig ; of which the follow-
ing, for the moft part, is the difference: ffrout, of a groffer found, imports
a fatter or groffer bud ; fprig, of a tenderer found, denotes a fmaller (hoot.
In like manner, from fir of the verb firhic, and out, comes firout 3ni firut.
From the fame fir, and the termination ugg/e, is made firuggle ; and this g
imports, but without any great noife, by reafon of the obfcure found of the
vowel u. In like manner from threw and nil is made troll ; and almoft in
the fame fenfe is trur:J!e, f")m thrciv or ttrufi, and ruitdle. Thus grajf or
grcugb is compounded of grave and rough j and trudge from tread or trot, and
In thefe obfervations it is eafy to difcover great fagacity and
great extravagance, an ability to do much defeated by the de-
fire of doing more than enough. It may be remarked,
1 . That Wallis's derivations are often fo made, that by the
fame licence any language may be deduced from any other.
2. That he makes no diftinftion between words immediately
derived by us from the Latin, and thofe which, being copied from
other languages, can therefore afford no example of tlie genius
of the Englifti language, or its laws of derivation.
3. That he derives from the Latin, often with great harftinefs
and violence, words apparently Teutonick ; and therefore, ac-
cording to his ovyn declaration, probably older than the tongue
to which he refers them.
4. That feme of his derivations are apparently erroneous.
SYNTAX.
The eftabliflied praftice of grammarians requires that I ihould here treat of
the Syntax; but our language has fo little inflexion, or varietj' of termina-
tions, that its conftruflion neither requires nor admits many rules. Wallls
therefore has totally negleded it ; and Jonfon, whofc defire of following the
writers upon the learneJ languages made him think a fycta^ indifpenfably ne-
ceflary, has publiihed fuch petty obfervatioiw ai weic better omitted.
The verb, as in other languages, agrees with the nomina-
tive in number and perfon ; as Ti/eu flUJi from good ; He runt to
death.
Our adjeAives and pronouns are invariable.
Of two fubftantives the noun poffefliye is the genitive ; as
His father's glory. The fun's heat.
verbs tranfitive require an oblique cafe ; as He lovet me ;
You fear him.
All prepofitions require an oblique cafe : He gave this to me ;
He took thii from me ; He fays this of me ; He came with me*
PROSODY.
It is common for thofe that deliver the grammar of modern languages, to
omit their Profody. So that of the Italians is negleded by Suemaitei ; that of
the French by Dejmarais ; and that of the Englifli by fyatlii, Cmfer, and even
by Jivfon, though a poet. But at the laws of metre are included in the idea
of a grammar, I have thought it proper to iafert them.
Profody comprifes orthoepy, or the rules of pronunciation ;
and orthometry, or the laws of verfification.
Pronunciation is juft, when every letter has its proper
found, and when every fyllable has its proper accent, or, which
in Engliih verfification is the fame, its proper quantity.
The founds of the letters have been already explained ; and rules for the ac-
cent or quantity are not eafily to be given, being fubjeft to innumerable excep-
tioos. Such howcTCi a> I have read or formed, I fliall here ptopote.
1. Of difTyllables formed by affixing a termination, the former
fyllable is commonly accented, as chiUiJh, kingdom, aHeJi, atled,
toilfome, lo'ver, fciffer, fairer, f'oremofl, zealous, fulnefs, godly,
meekly, artijl.
2. Diffyllables formed by prefixing a fyllable to the radical
word, have commonly the accent on the latter ; as to beget, to
tefeem, to hefotxi.
3. Of diffyllables, which arc at once nouns and verbs, the
verb haa commonly the accent on the latter; and ths noun on
the former fyllable j as to defcant, a difcam ', to timent, a e^
ment ; to contraB, a contraB,
This rule has many exceptions. Though verbs feldom have their accent ob
the former, yet nouns often have it on the latter fyllable; as, dtUght, ferfume^
4. All diflyllables ending in y, as cranny ; in aur, as labour,
favour ; in oou, as ivillo'w, 'walloiu, except allovj ; in le, as
battle, bible ; in ijh, as banijh ; in ck, as cambrick, caffock ; in
ter, as to batter ; in age, as courage ; in en, as fajien ; in et, as
quiet, accent the former fyllable.
5. DifTyllable nouns in er, as canker, butter, have the accent
on the former fyllable.
6. DifTyllable verbs terminating in a confonant and e final,
as comprije, efcape ; or having a diphthong in tlie laft fyllable,
as appeafe, reveal; or ending in two confonants, as attend, have
the accent on the latter fyllable.
7. DifTyllable nouns having a diphthong in the latter fyllable,
have commonly their accent on the latter fyllable, as applaufe ;
except words in ain, certain, mountain,
8. TrifTyllables formed by adding a termination, or prefixing
a fyllable, retain the accent of the radical word, as lavelinefs,
tendernefs, contemner, iKagonner, phyfical, befpatter, commenting,
commending, ajjurance.
9. TrifTyllables ending in ous, as gracious, arduous ; in al, as
capital ; in ion, as mention, accent the firfl. "1
10. TrifTyllables ending in ce, ent, and ate, accent the firfl
fyllable, as countenance, continence, armament, imminent, elegant,
propagate, except they be derived from words having the accent
on the laft, as connivance, acquaintance ; or the middle fyllable
hath a vowel before two confonants, as promulgate.
1 1. TrifTyllables ending \ny, as entity, fpecify, liberty, vtBory,
fubfidy, commonly accent the firft fyllable.
1 2. TrifTyllables in re or le accent the firfl fyllable, as legible,
theatre ; except difciple, and fome words which have a pofuion,
as example, tpifile,
13. TrifTyllables in ude commonly accent the firfl fyllable, as
plenitude.
1 4. TrifTyllables ending in ator or atour, as creattur ; or hav-
ing in the middle fyllable a diphthong, as endeavour; or 'a
vowel before two confonants, as domeflick, accent the middle
fyllable.
1 5 . TrifTyllables that have their accent on the laft fyllable arc
commonly French, as acquiefce, repartee, magazine ; or words
formed by prefixing one or two fyllables. to an acute fyllable, as
immature, overcharge.
16. Polyfyllables, or words of n»re than three fyllables, fol-
low the accent of the words from which they are derived, as
arrogating, continency , incontinently , commendable, commiinicablenefs .
We fhould therefore fay difputable, indifputable, rather than dif-
putable, indifputable ; and advertifement rather than advertife~-
ment.
17. Words in ion have the accent upon the antepenult, as
falvation, perturbation, concoBion ; words in atour or ator on the
penult, as dedicator.
1 8. Words ending in le commonly have the acceat on the firfl
fyllable, as amicable, unlefs the fecond fyllable have a vowel be-
fore two confonants, as comb'ujlible.
19. Words ending in ous have the accent on the antepenult,
as uxorious, voluptuous.
20. Words ending in ty have their accent on the antepenult,
as pujillanimity, aBivity.
Thefe rules arc not advanced an complete or infallible, but propofcd as ufefiiU
Almoft every rule of every language hns its exceptions ; and in Erjglifh, as in
other tongues, much muft be learned by example and authority. Perhaps more
and better rules may be given that have efcaped my obfervation.
Versification is the arrangement of a certain number of
f}llables according to certain laws.
The feet of our verfes are either iambiek, as al'ofty create ;
or trochaisk* as kHy, lofty.
Our
A GRAMMAR OF THE
Our lambick meaTure comprife* verfes
Oflburfyllables,
Mod good, moil fair.
Or things as rare.
To call you 's loft ;
For all the coft
Words can beftow.
So poorly Ihow
Upon your praifc.
That all the ways
Senfc hath, come ihort.
Of fix.
With ravilh'd ears
7^he monarch hears.
This while we are abroad.
Shall we not touch our lyre ?
Shall we not fing an ode i
Shall that holy fire.
In us that ftrongly glow'd.
In this cold air expire i
Though in the utmoffi Peak
A while we do remain.
Among the mountains bleak,
Expos'd to fleet and r^in,
No fport our hours fliall break.
To exercife our vein. ♦
What though bright Phoebus' beams
Refrelh the fouthern ground.
And though the princely Thames
With beauteous nymphs aboundj
And by old Camber's Itreams
Be many wonders found :
Yet many rivers clear
Here glide in filver fwathes.
And what of all moft dear,
Buxton's delicious baths.
Strong ale and noble chear,
T' affwage breem winter's fcatlies.
In places far or near.
Or famous, or obfcure.
Where wholfom is the air.
Or where the moft impure.
All times, and every where.
The mufe is ilill in ure.
DrajttH.
Drjdtn.
A thoufand crannies in the walls vit made |
Nor gate nor bars exclude the bufy trade.
'Tis built of brafs, the better to diffufe
The fpreading founds, and multiply the news ;
Where echoes in repeated echoes play :
A mart for ever full ; and open night and day.
Nor filence is within, nor voice exprefs.
But a deaf noife of founds that never ceafe ;
Confus'd, and chiding, like the hollow roar
Of tides, receding from th' infulted fliore:
Or like the broken thunder, heard from far.
When Jove to diftance drives the rolling war.
The courts are fill'd with a tumultuous din
Of crowds, or iifuing forth, or ent'ring in :
A thorough-fare of news ; wheie fome devife
Things never heard, fome mingle truth with lies:
The troubled air with empty founds they beat.
Intent to hear, and eager to repeat.
DryJeni
Drayton.
Of eight, which is the ufual meafure for ftiort poems.
And may at laft my weary age
Find out the peaceful hermitage.
The hairy gown, and mofly cell.
Where I may fit, and nightly fpell
Of ev'ry ftar the flcy doth (hew.
And ev'ry herb that fips the dew. Milton.
Gf ten, which is the common meafure of heroick and tragick
poetry.
Full in the midft of this created fpace,
BctwiSct hcav'n, earth, and flties, there Hands a place
Confining on all three ; with triple bound ;
Whence all things, though remote, arc view'd around.
And thither bring their undulating found.
The palace of loud Fame, her feat of pow'r,
Plac'd OD thefummit of a lofty tow'r;
A thoufand winding entries long and wide
lUceive of frefii reports a flowing tide.
^•1
In all thefe meafures the accents are to be placed on even
fyllables ; and every line confidcred by itfelf is more harmo-*
nious, as this rule is more Aridlly obferved. The variations ne-
ceffary to pleafuxe belong to the art of poetry, not the rules of
grammar.
Our trochaick meafures are
Of three fyllables.
Here we may
Think and pray.
Before death
Stops our breath :
Other joys
Are but toys.
Waltotfs Angler.
Of five.
In the days of old.
Stories plainly told.
Lovers felt annoy. Old Ballad.
Of feven,
Faireft piece of well-form'd earth.
Urge not thus your haughty birth. Waller.
In thefe meafures the accent is to be placed on the odd
fyllables.
Thefe are the meifures which are now in ufe, and above the reft thofe of
feven, eight, and ten fyllables. Our ancient poets wrote verfes fomctimet ai
twelve fyllables, as Drayton's Polyolbion,
Of III the Cambrian (hires their heads that bear fo high.
And farth'ft furvey their foils with an ambitious eye,
Mervinia for her hills, as for their matchlefs crowd:i.
The ncareft that are (aid to kifs the wand'ring clouds,
Efpecial audience craves, oflcnded with the tlirong^
That Iheof all the rcll ncgleclcd was fo long;
Alleging for hcrfelf, when through the Saxon's pride.
The godlike race of Brute to Severn's fctting fide
Were cruelly inforc'd, her mountains did relieve
Thofe vvlmm devouring war clfc every where did grieve.
And when all Wales befide (by fortune or by might)
Unto her ancient foe refign'd her ancient right,
A conftant maiden ftill (he only did remain,
The laft her genuine laws which ftoutly did retain.
And as each one is prais'd for her peculfar things.
So only (he is rich in mountains, meres, and fprings ;
And holds hcrfelf as great in her fuperfluous uafte.
As others by their towns and fruitful tillage grac'd.
And of fourteen, as Chapman's Homer.
And as the mind of fuch a man, that hath a long way gone.
And either Icnowcth not his way, or ell'c would let aloac
His purpos'd journey, is diftract.
The meafures of twelve and fourteen fyllables were often mi>gleJ by out
old poets, fomcumcs iu alternate lUcs, and lometimcs ijt altciaatc cuuplcu.
' The
ENGLISH TONGUE.
Th« »erfe »f tvwtre fylUblM, citlci an Altxandrine, it now only ufe4 to
iiiaif-j heroick lines.
Waller was fmooth, but Dr/den taught to joi«
The varying verfc, the full-refounding line,
7hi lung maj'f-ic murcb, and cncr^ Jivine. Pif'
The paufe in the Alcxaajrine m»ft be at the iixth fyllable.
The verfe of fourteen fyllables is now broken into a foft lyrick meafun of
«rfo conliiling alternately of eight fyllables and fix.
fi. i
She to receive thy radiant name»
Selects a whiter fpace.
When all (hall praife, and ev'ry hj
Devote a wreath to thee.
That day, for come it will, that day
Shall I lament to fee.
Beneath t!>i> tnmb an 'infant liet
To earth whofe body lent.
Hereafter (hall more glorious rife.
But not more innocent.
When the Archangel's trump (hall bI•^r»
And fouls to bodies join.
What crowds thall wilb their lives below
Had been as jhort as thine I
Tcnton.
liwit U Ft^'
WcjllJ.
\
We have another roeifure very quick and lively, and therefore much ufcd
in fongj, which may be called the atutftfiick, in which the accent refts upon
every third fyllable.
May I govern my paiTione with ab&Iute f»'ay.
And grow wiiiir and i)cBer as lile wear& away.. Dr. Popi^
!■ this meafure a fyllable is often retrenched from the firft foot, as
Diogenes furly and proud. Dr. Pafu
When prefent we love, and when abfent agrcCj.
I think not of I'ris, nor I'ris of mc. DryJen.
Thefe meafares are varied by many combinations, and fometimes by double
tS(!jngS| either with w without rhyme, as in the heroick meafure^
'Tij the Divinity that ftirs •within ut,
Tis Heav'n itfelf that points out an htritfitrf
And intimates eternity to roan. AUifoiit-
So ra that of eight fyllables,
' They neither added nor confounded.
They neither wanted nor abounded.. Fritit^
In that of (even,
For refiftsnce I could fear none.
But with twenty ihips ha^ dtme.
What thou, brave and happy Vernon»
H«ft atchiev'd with fix alone. Gtmtr,
In that of fix,
'Tv;as when the feas were roaring*
With hollow blafts of wind,
A damfel lay deploring,
AH en a rock reclin'd. <»<jyv
la the aaapeftick,.
When terrible tempefts alTail us.
And mountainous billows affright,.
-^ Nor grandeur or wealth can avail us.
But flciiful induftry fleers right. Bj/W»
To tbefe meofures, and their laws, may be reduced every fjiecles of Sogllfik
verfe. i
Our verfification admits of few licences,, except tsi. fynaloepha^
or elifion of t in the before a vowel,, as r/j' eternal ; and more
rarely of o in to, as r' accept ; and a fyntrrejis, by which two-
fhort vowels coalefce into one fyllable, as quefiion, fpecial \ or a.
word is contrafted by the expulfion, of a Ihort vowel before a li-
quid, as anPrUtr temf'rance..
Thus have I collected rules and examples,. by which the Englifli language
may be learned, if the reader be already acquainted with grammatical terms,
or caught by a mailer to thofe that arc more ignorant. To have written a
grammar for fuch as are not yet initiated ux the I'clwols, would have been te>
diouS) and peilufs at lall iacfitftual*
ADVERTISE-.
ADVERTISEMENT
TO THE
FOURTH EDITION,
MA N Y are the works of human induftry, which to begin and finifli are hardly granted to
the fame man. He that undertakes to compile a Didionary, undertakes that, which, if it
comprehends the full extent of his defign, he knows himfelf unable to perform. Yet his labours,
though deficient, may be ufeful, and with the hope of this inferior praife, he muft incite his a(5tivity,^
and folace his wearincfs.
Perfection is unattainable, but nearer and nearer approaches may be made ; and finding my Dic-
tionary about to be reprinted, I have endeavoured, by a revifal, to make it lefs reprehenfible. I will
not deny that 1 found many parts requiring emendation, and many more capable of improvement.
Many faults I have correfted, fome fuperfluities I have taken away, and fome deficiencies I have
fupplied. I have methodifed fome parts that were difordered, and illuminated fome that were obfcure.
Yet the changes or additions bear a very fmall proportion to the whole. The critick will now have
lefs to objeft, but the ftudent who has bought any of the former copies needs not repent j he will
not, without nice collation, perceive how they differ j and ufefulnels feldom depends upon little
things.
For negligence or deficience, I have perhaps not need of more apology than the nature of the work
will furnifh : I have left that inaccurate which never was made exadt, and that imperfeft which never
was completed.
A D I C-
DICTIONARY
OF THE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
A The firft letter of the European
alphabets, has, in the Englifti
^ language, three different tounds,
which may be termed the broad, open,
and (lender.
The broad found, refembling that of
the German a, is found in many of our
monofyllables, as all. wall, malt, /alt, in
which a is pronounced as au in cau/e, or
aiv in lazv. Many of thefe words were
anciently written with au, as fault,
I'jauli ; which happens to be ftill retained
\r\ fault. This was probably the ancient
found of the Saxons, fmce it is almoft
uniformly preferred in the ruflic pro
nunciation, and the Northern dialefts,
as maun for man, haund for hand.
A open, not unlike the a of the Italians,
is found in father, rather, and more
obfcurely \n fancy, fafi, &c.
A (lender or clofe, is the peculiar a of the
Englifh language, refembling the found
of the French e mafculine, or diphthong
ai in pais, or perhaps a middle found
between them, or between the a and e ;
to this the Arabic a is faid nearly to ap-
proach. Of this found we have exam-
ples in the wor^i, place, face, luajle, and
all thofe that terminate in ation ; as re-
lation, nation, generation.
A is (hort, as, glafs, grafs ; or long, as,
glaze, graze: it is raarlted long, gene-
rally, by an e final, plane, or by an /
added, as plaia. The ihort a is open,
the long a clofe.
1. A, an article fet before nouns of the
fingular number; a man, a tree ; de-
noting the number one, as, a man is
coming, that is, no more than one ; or an
indefinite indication, as, a man may
come this way, that is, any man. This
article has no plural (ignification. Be-
fore a word beginning with a vowel, it
is written an, as, an ox, an egg, of
which a is the contraction.
Vol. I.
2. A, taken materially, or for itfelf, is a
noun ; as, a great A, a little a.
3. A is placed before a participle, or par-
ticipial noun ; and is confidered by
Wallis as a contraction of at, when it
is put before a word denoting fome aftion
not yet finilhed ; ls, I am a walking.
It alio feeras to be anciently contrafted
from at, when pl.-.ced before local fur-
names ; as, Thomas a Becket. In other
cafes, it feems to fignify to, like the
French a.
/i hunting Chloe went. Trkr.
They go a brgging to a bankrupt's door. Dryi!in.
May peace Hill llumbcr by thcfs purling foun-
tains !
Which we may every year
Find when we come a fifliing here. IfDiUn.
Now the men fell a rubbing of armour, which
a great while had lain oiled. IVcticn.
He will knap the fpears a pieces with his teeth.
M-.rc't Antid. Athm.
Another falls a ringing a Pefcennius Niger, and
judicioufly diftinguiihes the found of it to be
modern. AJJifin on Midah.
4. A has a peculiar fignification, denoting
the proportion of one thing to another.
Thus we fay. The landlord hath a hun-
dred a year ; The (hip's crew gained a
thoufand pounds a man.
The river Inn paflcs through a wide open coun-
try, during all its courfe through Bavaria ; which
is a voyage of two days, after the rate of twenty
leagues a day. Addijin on Italy.
5. A is ufed in burlefque poetry, to lengthen
out a fyllable, without adding to the
fenfe.
For cloves and nutmegs to the line-u,
And even for oranges to China. Vryden.
6. A is fometimes, in familiar writings,
put by a barbarous corruption for he;
as, will a come, for will he come.
7. A, in compofition, fecms to have fome-
times the power of the French « in thefe
phrafes, a droit, a gauche, Sic. and iome-
timet to be contracted from at ; as, afde,
uflope, afoot, ajleep, athirjl, aiuare.
ABA
I 'gin to be a viiary of the fun ;
And wifh the ftate of tli' world were now undone.
Sbakefpearet Miicbetb,
And now a breeze from (hore began to blow.
The Tailors (hip their oars, and ccufe to row ;
Then hoift their yards a-tr'p, and all their fails
Let fall, to court the wind, and catch the gales.
Drydcn'i Ceyx and A/cjmi,
A little houfe with trees a row.
And, like its maftcr, very low. I'lfe, Hor,
8. A is fometimes redundant ; as, arife,
aroufe, a-wake ; the fame with rife, roufe,
wake.
9. A, in abbreviations, (lands for artium,
or arts ; as, A. B. batchelor of arts, ar-
tium haccalaureus ; A. M. mailer of arts,
artium magifier ; or, anno ; as, A. D.
anno domini.
AB, at the beginning of the names of
places, generally (hews that they have
fome relation to an abbey, as Abingdon.
Gibfon,
Aba'cke. adv. [from lack.'\ Backwards.
Obfolete.
But when they came where thou thy (kill didit
(how,
They drew abacke, as half with (hame confound.
S/ievJ. Pafl.
ABACTOR, n.f. [Latin.] One who drives
away or fteals cattle in herds, or great
numbers at once, in didindlion from
thofe that ileal only a (heep or two.
Blount.
A'BACUS. n.f. [Latin.] _
1. A counting- table, anciently ufed ia
calculations. '
2. [In architecture.] The uppermoU mem-
ber of a column, which ferves as a fort
of crowning both to the capital and co-
lumn. Dm.
Aba'ft. adv. [of abapran. Sax. behind.]
From the fore-part of the (liip, towards
the llern. Dia.
Abm'sance. n.f. [from the French abai..
fer, to deprcfs, to bring down.] An aCl
of reverence, a bow. Obeyfance is con-
fidered by Skinner as a corruption bf
ahaifame, but is now univcrl'ally uled.
B 1*
ABA
ABA
ABA
To ABA'LIENATE. -v. a. [from aiallene,
Lat.] To make that another's which
was our own before. A term of the civil
Jaw, not much ufed in common fpeech.
Abalien a'tiox. n.f. [Lat. abalicnaiio.']
The afl of giving up one's right to ano-
ther perfon ; or a making over an eftatc,
goods, or chattels by fal«, or due coiirfc
oflaw. Dia.
To Aba'nd. v. a. [A word con traced from
abandon, but not now in uie. See A-
BANDON.] To forfalce.
Thi y ftr :>nger arc
Than they which fought at firft their helping
band,
Mai Vortiger enforced the kingdom to abatiet,
Sftnftr'i Fairy Sheen, h. li. cuu. to.
To ABA'NDON. -v. a. [Fr. abandonner.
Deriv«d, according to Menage, from the
Italian abandonare, which fignifies to
forfake his colours ; bandum ['vexillum]
deferere. /"a/^a/Vr thinks it a coalition of"
a ban donner, to give up to a profcription ;
in which fenfe we, at this day, mention
the ban of the empire. Ban, in our
own old dialed, fignifies a curfe ; and
to a^aWoa, if confidered as compounded
between French and Saxon, is exaftly
equivalent to diris de-Tjcuere.']
I. To give up, refign, or quit ; often fol-
lowed bv the particle to.
]f Jhe be fo ahand'jn'd to her forrow,
Ac iti* fpokc, file never will admir me.
Shah/j>. -Tivtlfth Night.
The- paflive gods behold the Greeks defile
Their temples, and abandon to the fpoll
Their own abodes ; wc, feeble few, confpire
To fave a finking town, involv'd in ftre.
Dryil. j^miJ.
Who is he fo ahatidomd re fottifli credulity, as
to think, that a clod of earth in a fick, may ever,
fay eternal ihaking, receive the fabric of man's
body ? Bcmley'i Sermom.
Muft he, whofe altars on the Phrygian (hore.
With frequent rites, and pure, avow'd thy pow'r,
Be doom'd the worft of human ills to prove,
Unblefs'd, abaxdon'd to the wrath of Jove ?
Pofi't Odyjfty, h. i. 1. 80.
^. To defert ; to forfake : in an ill fenfe.
The princes ufing the palTions of fearing evil,
and defiring to efcape, only to ferve the rvile of
virtue, not to abandon one's felf, leapt to a rib of
the (hip. Sidney, b. ii.
Seeing the hurt flag alone,
I<eft and abandoned of his velvet friends,
'Tis right, quoth he ; thus mifery doth part
The flux of company. Shakifp. As you lih it.
What face a wretched fugitive attends,
Scom'd by my foes, abandoned by my friends.
Dryd. jUneid, 2.
But to the partisg goddcfs thus (he pray'd j
Propitious dill be prcfcnt to my aid.
Nor quite abandon your oncc-favour'd maid.
Dryd. Fab.
3. To forfake, to leave.
He boldly fpakc, Sir knight, if knight thou be,
.Abandon this Ibreflalled place at crft,
For fear of further harm, 1 ccunfel thee.
Sfenfer'i Fairy Sunn, b. ii. eant. ^. Jlanx. 39.
Te ABANDON OVER. 11. fl. [a fomi of wri-
ting not ufual, perhaps not exacl.] To
give up to, to refign.
Look on me as a man abandon d o'er
To an eternal lethargy of love ;
To puU, and pinch, and wound me, cannot cure,
And but diAurb the quiet of my death.
Dryd. Sp. Friar.
Aba'nooned. farticip. adj. Corrupted
in the higheil degree ; as, an abandoned
%vretch. In this fenfe, it is a contradion
of a longer form, abandoned [given up]
to wickednefs.
Aba'ndoninc. [A verbal noun from
abandon.] Defertion, forfaking.
He hop'd his paft meritorious ailions might out-
weigh his prcfent abandoning the thought of future
action. Clarend. b. viii.
Ab a'k DONMEHT.ir./ [abajtdoanement ,Ft .]
1. The aft of abandoning.
2. The ftate of being abandoned. Dia.
Abanni'tiOn. n./. [LblZ. aiannitio.] A
banifhment for one or two years, for
manflaughter. Obfolete. Dia.
Te Aba're. 1/. a. [abajiian. Sax.] Tomake
bare, uncover, or difclofe. Dia.
Ab ARTicutA'TiON.«.y; [from ab, from,
and articulus, a joint, Lat.] A good and
apt conftruftion of the bones, by which
they move ftrongly and eafily ; or that
fpecies of articulation that has manifeft
motion. Dta.
To Aba'se. 1). a. [Fr. abaijfer, from the
Lat. hajis, or bajfus, a b.arbarous word,
fignifying low, bafe.]
1. "To deprefs, to lower.
It is a point of cunning to wait upon him with
whom you fpeak with your eye; yet with a demure
abajing of it fomctimes. , Baccn.
2. To caft down, to deprefs, to brijig low ;
in a figurative and perfonal fenfe, which
is the common ufe.
Hjppy Ihephcid, to the gods be thankful, that
to thy advancement their wlfdoms have thceabajcd.
Sidney, b, \.
Behold every one that is proud, and abiije him.
'Job, xl. II.
With unrefiftcd might the monarch reigns;
He levels mountains, and he raifes plains j
And, not regarding difl'rence of degree,
jit>as'd your daughter, and exalted me.
Dryd. Fables.
If the mind be curbed and humbled too much
in children ; if their fpirlts be ahafed and broken
much by too ftrlit an hand over them ; they lofe
all their vigour and induftry.
Loekt on Education, § 46.
Aba's ED. adj. [with heralds] a term ufed
of the wings of eagles, when the top
looks downwards towards the point of the
ftiield ; or when the wings are ftiut ; the
natural way of bearing them beingfpread
with the top pointing to the chief of the
angle. Bailey. Chambers.
Aba'sement. n.f. The ftate of being
brought low ; the aft of bringing low ;
deprefiion.
There is an abafenunt becaufe of glory ; and
there is tliat lifteth up his head from a low cftate.
EccUfijJlicus, XX. II.
7ff Aba'sh. ni. a. [See Bashful. Per-
haps from abaiffer, French.]
1. To put into confufion ; to make afha-
med. It generally implies a fudden
impreflion of Ihame.
They heard, and were abap'd.
Milton's Paradife Loft, b, !, /. 3 ji.
This heard, th' imperious queen fat mute with
fear;
Nor further dur(l incenfc the gloomy thunderer.
Silence was in the court at this rebuke :
Nor could the g'^ds, abajb'd, fullain their fove-
reign's look. Dryden's Fables.
2. The paflive admits the particle at, fomc-
times of, before the caufal noun.
1 n no wile (peak againft the truth, but be abnjhed
of the error of thy ignorance. Ecclui. iv. 25.
I faid unto her, From whence is this kid ? Is
it not ftolen ? But (be replied u^on nic, it was
liven fm > gift, more than the wagtji however^
I did not believe her, and 1 was aba/b.-d at lier.
iob. ii. 13, i^
In the ad-nirrtion only of weak minds
Led captive : ccafc t" admire, and all her plumct
Fall Hat, and (ink into a trivial toy.
At every fudden flighting quite abdjht.
Mtlti.n's Paradife Ltji, b. ii. /. 223.
The little Cupiils hov'ring round,
(As pictures prove) with garlands crown'd,
MaJIj'd at what tbey faw and heard,
Ficw off, nor ever more appcar'd.
Sliift's Mifcillariil,
To AB A'TE. V. a. [from the French abba-
ire, to beat down.]
1. To leffen, to diminifli.
Who can tell whether tlie divine wifdoni, to
abate the glory of thoft kings, did not rcfcrve this
wo;k to be done by a* queen, that it might appear
to be his own immediate work?
Sir John Da'vies on Ireland^
If you did know to whom 1 gave the ring.
And how unwillingly I left the ring,
.You would abate the ftreogth of your difpleafure.
Sbattjj>eare,
Here we fee the hopes of great benefit and light
from expofitors and commentators, are in a great
part abated; and thofe who have moft need of their
help, can receive but little from them.
Luke's EJfay on St. Paul's Ef'JiUi.
2. To dejeft, or deprefs the mind.
This iron world
Brings down the llouteft hearts to loweft ftate :
For mifery doth braveft m'indi abate.
Spenf. Hubbird's Tale.
Have the power ftiJl
To hani(h your defenders, till at length
Your ignorance deliver you.
As moft abated captives to fome nation
That won you without blows !
Sbatefpeare's Coriolanus,
Time, that changes all, yet changes us in vain.
The body, not the mind ; nor can controul
Th' immortal vigour, or abati the foul.
Dryd. ^ne'id,
3. In commerce, to let down the price in
felling, fometimes to beat down the price
in buying.
To Aba'te. 'V. »;
1. To grow lefs ; as, his paflion abates;
the ftorm abates. It is ufed fometimes
with the particle of before the thing
leffened.
Our phyficians have obfcrved, that in procefs of
time, fome difeafes have abiitidcfx.)\t\r virulence,
and have, in a manner, worn out their malignity,
io as to be no longer mortal.
Dryden's Hind and Panther,
2. [In common law.]
It is in law ufed both aftively and neuterly ; as,
to abate a catlie, to beat it down. To ithate a writ,
is, by fome exception, to defeat or overthrow it,
A ftranger abatetb, that is, entereth upon a houfe
or land void by the death of him that laft pon(:(red
it, before the heir take his po(rcl1ian, and fo keep-
eth him out. Wherefore, as he that putteth out
him in pofTelTinn, is faid to dilTelfe : fo he that
fteppcth in between the former pofTefTor and hi»
heir is faid to abate. In '.he neuter fignlfication
thus ; The writ of the d niandment ihail abate, that
is, (hall be difabled, fruftrated, or overthrown. The
appeal ahateih by covin, that is, that the accuO-
tion is defeated by deceit. CoiueU
3. [In horfemanlhip.] A horfe is faid to
abate or take down his curvets ; when
working upon curvets,' he puts his two
hind legs to the ground both at once,
and obfervcs the fame exaftnefs in all
the times. Dia,
Aba'tement. n.f. \abatemcnt,^'c.'\
I. The aft of abating or leflening.
Xenophon tells us, that the city contained about
ten theuXond houfes, and ^wing one saaa to every
boufe^
ABB
ABB
A B D
houfc, who could have any (hare in the jorern-
ment (the reft coniiliing of women, children, and
. lervants}, and making orher obvious abatements^
thcfc tyrants, it" they had been careful to adhere
together, might have been a majority even of the
people colle^ive.
Sviift on tbe Ctnteji ofAthem and Romg'
2. The ftate of being abated.
ColTee has, in common with all nuts, an oil
ftrongly combined and entangled with earthy par-
ticles. The moft noxious part of oil exhales in
roafting, to the aiatemtnt of near one quarter of its
weight. Arhuthnct on Al'tmcrts.
3 . The fum or quantity taken away by the
aft of abating.
The law of works is that Ijw, which requires
pcrfefl obedience, without rcmiflion or abatement^
fo that, by thatlav,-, a man cannot be juft, or jufti-
6ed, without an cxa3 performance of ever)' tittle.
Locke.
4. The caufe of abating; extenuation.
As our advantages towards pradt^fing and pro-
moting piety and virtue were greater than thofe ot
other men; fo will our eicufe be lefs, if weneglcil
to make ufe of them. We cannr't plead in abate-
ment of our guilt, that we were ignnrant of our
duty, under the prepolfefiion of ill habits, and the
bias of a wrong education. Atterbury^sSermcm,
5. [Inlaw.] The ad of the abator ; as, the
abatement of t\\e heir into the land before
he hath agreed with the lord. The af-
, feftion or paflion of the thing abated ;
Tis, abatement of ihe ■wnx.. Ctnve/.
6. [With heralds.] An accidental mark,
which being added to a coat of arms,
the dignity of it is abafed, by reafon of
fome Ilain or dilhonourable quality of
the bearer. />.<2.
Aba'ter. n./. The agent or caufe by
which an abatement is procured ; that
by which any thing is leffened.
Abaters of acrimony or fliarpnefs, arc exprciled
oils of ripe vegetables, and all preparations of
fucb ; as of almonds, pillachocs, and ether nuts.
A'butbnot on Diet,
Aba'tor. n./. [a law term.] One who
intrudes into houfes or land, void by the
death of the former poffeflbr, and yet
not entered upon or taken up by his
heir. Di^.
A'batude. n.y; [old records.] Anything
dtminifhed. Bailey.
A'bature. It./, [from aiatre, French.]
Thofe fprigi of grafs which are thrown
down by a ttag irf his pafiing by. Dia.
Abb. «./. The yarn on a weaver's warp ;
a terra among clothiers. Chambers.
ABB J. n.f. [Heb. ns] A Syriac word,
which f\^n\fic% father .
A'bqacv. /;./. \LzX. ahbatla.'\ The rights
or privileges of an abbot. See Abbey.
According to Fctiuu>, an abbacy is tlie iiignity
itfclf, fincc an abbot ia a term ( r word of dignity,
and not of ofSce ; and, therefore, even i fecular
perfon, who has the cue of fouls, is fometimes,
iR the canon law, alf > ftiled an abbot.
^>7'j?='j Parcrgitt 'jitrh Canonhi.
A'bbess.«./ [Lat.. aibali//b, from whence
the Saxon abubij-yi;, then probably ab-
hatefs, and by contrafticn abheffe in Fr.
and abbej'i, Eng.] The fuperiour or go-
verncfs of a nunnery or monaflery of
women.
They fled
Into this al bey, whither we purfued them ;
JVnd here the abhejs Ihuts tbe gate on us.
And will not fuffer us to fetch him out.
Shaltf. Con. ofErrtri.
I hive a filter, aibcfs in Terceraf,
Who loft her lover on her bridal-day.
DiyJ. D. Sebajl.
Conftantia, as foon as the folemnities of her re-
ception were over, retired with the abbefs into h?i
own apartment. Adii'.jon.
A'bbey, or Abby. n.f. [Lat. abbatia;
from whence probably firft Abbacy;
which fee.] A monaftery of religious
perfons, whetlier men or women ; dif-
tinguifhed from religious houfes of other
denominations by larger privileges. See
Abbot.
With eafy roads he came to Leicefler ;
Lodg'd in the abbey, where the reverend abbot,
Y^ithall his convent, honourably receivM him.
Shakejp.
A'bbey- -Lubber, n.f. [See Lubber.]
A flothful loiterer in a religious houfe,
under pretence of retirement and aufte-
rity.
This is no Father Dominic, no huge overgrown
abbey-lubber \ this is but a diminutive fucking
f'iar. ' DryH. Sp. fr.
A'BBOT. H.f. [in the lower Latin abbas,
from i» father, which fenfe was Hill
implied ; fo that the abbots were called
patres, and abbefles matres monajicrii.
Thus Fortunatus to the abbot Paternus :
Namitiis cffieiumjure. Paterae, geris.'j The
chief of a convent, or fellowfliip of ca-
nons. Of thefe, fome in England were
mitred, fome not : thofe that were mi-
tred, were exempted from the jurildic-
tion of the diocefan, having in them-
felves epifcopal authority within their
precinfts, and being alfo lords of parlia-
ment. The oth/r fort were fubjcft to
the diocefan in all fpiritual government.
dive/.
See Abbey.
A'bbotship. n.f. The ftate or privilege
of an abbot. Did.
To ABBRE'VIATE. v. a. [Lat. abbre-
1)1 are.^
1. To Ihorten by contraftion of parts with-
out lofs of the main fubilance ; to abridge.
It is one thing to abbreviate by contradllng, an-
other by cutting off. Baccn, FJJay 26.
The only invenfion of late years, which hath
contributed towards polirenefs in difcnurfc, is that
of abbreviating or reducing words of many fyllablei
into one, by lopping ofF tl.c reft. Sieift.
2. To fliortcn, to cut fliort.
Set the rtrength of their days before the flood j
which were aibreviatej after, and contracted into
hundreds and threefcores.
Bro^vn'i Vulvar Ernun, b. vi. e. 6.
.Abersvi a'tion. n.f. ~
1. The aft of abbreviating.
2. The means ufed to abbreviate, as cha-
rafters fignifying whole words ; words
contrafted.
Such is the propriety and energy in them all,
that they never can be chang(:d, but to difadvan-
fage, except in the circumftance of ufing albrevia-
t'ont. Swi/i.
Abbrevia'tor. n.f, [abbre-viateur,Fr.]
One who abbreviates, or abridges.
.A,-!Ek.e'vi ATURE. n. f [abbrevialura.
La:.]
1. A mark ufed for the fake of (hortening.
2. A compendium or abridgment.
Ht! is a good man, who grieves ra.her lor him
that injures him, tlun f^r hii own fuffering; who
prays fgr bim that wrong!, him, forgiving all bis
faults; who fooner (hews mercy thah anger; wh«
offers violence to his appetite, in ell things endea-
vouring to fubdue the fiefli to the fpirit. This is
an excellent abbreviature of the whole duty of a
Chri!>ian. 7aylari Guiti< to Dtvoricn,
JBBREUFOI'R. [in French, a watering-
place. Ital. abbe-jerato, dal verbo beiiere.
Lat. bibcre. Abbeverari i cavalli. This
word is derived by Menage, not much
acquainted with the Teutonic dialefts,
from adbibare for adbibere ; but more
probably it comes from the fame root
with bretxi. See Brew.] Among ma-
fons, the joint or junfture of two Hones,
or the interftice between twoftonesto be
filled up with mortar. Di&.
A'bby. See Abbey.
A, B, C.
1. The alphabet; as, he has not learned
his a, b, c.
2. The little book by which the elements
of reading are taught.
Then comes queilion like an a, b, c, book.
Skokefpeare*
To A'BDICATE. -v. a. [Lat. abdicc] To
give up right ; to refign ; to lay down
an office.
Old Saturn, here, with upcaft eyes.
Beheld his abdicatcil Ikics. AJdifon,
Abdica'tion. ?/._/". [abduatio, Lut.] The
aft of abdicating ; refignation ; quitting
an office by one's own proper aft before
the ufual or dated expiration.
Neither duth it appear how a princ«'s abdication
can make any other fort of vacancy in the throne,
than would be caufcd by his death ; fince hecan-
not abdicate for his children, otherwife than by his
own confcnt in form to a bill from the two houfes*
Sivift on the Sentiments of a Church of
England Man.
A'bdicative. adj. That which caufes.or
implies an abdication. Diil.
A'bdicative. adj. [from <? Wo, to hide. j
That which has the power or quality of
hiding. Dia.
ABDO'MEN. n. f [Lat. from abdo, to
hide.] A cavity commonly called the
lower venter or belly : It contains the
Itomach, guts, liver, fpleen, bladder,
and is within lined with a membrane
called the peritoneum. The lower part
is called the hypogallriiim ; the forcmoll
part is divided into the epigaftrium, the
right and left hypochondria, and the
navel ; 'tis boended above by the car-
tilago eufiformis and the diaphragm,
fideways by the flwrt or lower ribs, and
behind by the vertebra; of the loins, the
bones of the coxendix, that of the pubes,
and OS facrum. It is covered with feve
ral mufcles, from whofe alternSle relaxa-
tions and contra(itions in refpiration,.
digeilion is forwarded, and the due mo-
tion of all the parts therein contained
pfomoted, both for fecretion and expul-
fion. ' ^iiicy.
The abJonun confifts of parts containing and con-
tained. py)fem:in^s Surgery.
Abdo'minal. Xadj. Relating to the ab-
Abdo'm INDUS. 5 domen.
To A.'JDU'CE. 'u. a. [Lat. abduco.'\ Tq
draw to a diffcrcHt part ; to withdraw
one part from another. A word chiefly
ufed in phylic or fcience.
B i If
ABE
A B H
A B I
If w« tUtict the eye unto either tomar, the
ohjcA will not duplicKe; (ur, in that porition,che
axis of (he cones remain in the Tame plain, as is
demonftrated in the optics delivered by Galen.
Browit'i yulgar Ernun, b, iii. c. 20.
Abou'cent. aajr. Mufcles abducent are
thofe which ferve to open or pull back
divers parts of the body ; their oppofites
being called adducent. Di8.
Abduc'tion. n.f. [aiduSHi, Lat.]
1. The art of drawing apart, or withdraw-
ing one part from another.
2. A particular form of argument.
JBDirCTOK. n.f. {^abduaor, Lat.] The
name given by anatomitts to the muf-
cles, which ferve to draw back the fe-
veral members.
He fuppofed ih ; conftriftors of the eye-lid» muft
he ftresgthened in the fupercilious j the aidulfsn
in drunkards, and contemplarive men, who have
the fame fteady and grave motion of the eye.
jirtuititot anil Pofi'i A''arlinus Scriilcrus.
Abeceda'rian. »./ [from the names of
a, b, c, the three firtt letters of the al-
phabet.] He that teaches or learns the
alphabet, or firft rudiments of literature.
This word is ufed by ff^ood in his
Athena Oxoninfes, where mentioning
Farnaby the critic, he relates, that, in
fome part of his life, he was reduced to
follow the trade of an abecedarian by his
misfortunes.
A'BECEDARY.fli^'. [See Ab ECED A R I AN.]
1. Belonging to the alphabet.
2. Infcribed with the alphabet.
This is pretended from the fympathy of two
needles touched with the loadllonc, and placed in
the center of two ahtcedary circles, or rings of let-
ters, defcribed round about them, One friend keep-
ing one, and another the other, and agreeing upon
' i^Ki hour wherein they will communicate.
Brovin^i Vuhar Errcurs^ b* n. r. 3.
Abe'o. aJv. [from a, for at, and bed.] In
bed.
It was a (hame for them to mar their com-
plexions, yea and conditions too, with long lying
tfW : when fiie was of their age, file would have
in»ie a handkerchief by that time oMay.
Suliy, b» ii.
She has not been ahed, but in her chapel
All night devoutly watch'd. Dryd. Span. Friar.
-Abe'rrance. ?«./. [from a berro, La.t.
Abe'rrancy. 5 to wander from the
right way.] A deviation from the right
way ; an crrour ; a miftake ; a falfe opi-
nion.
They do not only fwarm with errours, but vices
depending thereon. Thus they commonly aft'edl
no man any farther than he dcferts his reafon, or
complies with thrir ahcrrartc'm.
Brotim't y^ulgar Ernurs, h. i. f. 3.
Could a man be compofed to fuch an advantage
of conftitution, that it ihould not at all adulterate
the images of his mind ; yet this fecond nature
would alter the cr.^iis of his underilanding, and
render it as obnoxious to aherraricetf as now.
CfoBvilU^i Supjit Scientijicat c. 16.
Abe'rrant. adj. [from aberraris, Lat.]
Deviating, wandering from the right or
known way. DiJl,
Aberra'tio.n. n.f. [from «i«rra//o, Lat.]
The act of deviating from the common
or from the right track.
If it be a miilake, there is no hercfy in fuch an
barmlefs aherratkn ; the probability of it will ren-
der it a lapfe of eafy pardon.
CUn-vilU'i Sceffit Seienllfica, c. 11.
ABE'jLRiKC./«r/. [from the \<iih aberr.
cf abini, Lat.] Wandering, going a-
Ibray.
Of the verb aberr I have found no
example.
Divers were out in their account, aterr'mg feve-
ral ways from the true and jult compute, and call-
ing that one year, which perhaps might be another.
Bri/ivns yulg.ir Errourif b. iv. r. 12.
To Aberu'nc ATE. I". «. [averunco, Lat.]
To pull up by the roots ; to extirpate
utterly. D'^-
To ABE'T. "v. a. [from betan. Sax. Cg-
nifyine to enkindle or animate.] To
pulh forward another, to fupport him in
his defigns by connivance, encourage-
ment, or help. It was once indifferent,
but is almoA always taken by modern
writers in an ill fenfe : as may be feen
in Abetter.
To abd fignifieth, in our common law, as much
as to encourage or fet on. Co^vel.
Then fliall I foon, quoth he, return again,
Abet that virgin's caufe difconfolate.
And ftiortly back return. Fairy Siueen, b. i.
A widow who by folemn vows,
Contrafted to me, for my fpoufe,
Combin'd with him to break her word.
And has abetted all. Hudibras, p. iii. cant. 3.
Men lay fo great weight upon right opinions,
and eagernefs of abetting them, tliat they account
that the unum neceflarium. Decay of Piety.
They abetted both parties in the civil war, and
always furnifiied fupplies to the weaker fide, left
there fliould be an end put to thcfe fatal divifions.
Jlddifin. Freehulder, No 2S.
Abe'tment. n.f. The aft of abetting.
Dia.
Abe'tter, or Abe'ttor. ».yi He that
abets ; the fupport«r or encourager of
a :v) titer.
Wliilft calumny has two fuch potent abetters,
we are not to wonder at its growth ; as long as
men are malicious and defigning, they will be tra-
ducing. Govertl. of tbe Tongue.
You (hall be ftill plain Torrifmond with me,
Th' abfttir, partner (if you like the name),
The hulband of a tyrant, but no king ;
Till you dcferve that title by yourjullice.
Dryden^s Spjnijh Friar.
Thefe confiderations, though they may have no
influence on the multitude, ought to fink into the
minds of thofe who are their abettors, and who,
if they cfcape puniihment here, muft know, that
thcfe fcvcral mifchiefs will be one day laid to their
charge. Addijor. Freeholder, No 50.
Abey'ance. n.f. [from the French abo-
yer, allatrare, to bark at.] This word,
in Littleton, cap. Difcontinuance, is thus
ufed. The right of fee-fimple lieth in
abeyance, when it is all only in the re-
membrance, intendment, and confidera-
tion of the law. The frank tenement of
the glebe of the parfonage, is in no man
during the time that the parfonage is
void, but is in abeyance. Co-ivel.
Aboreca'tion. n.f. [abgregatio, LtA.]
A reparation from the flock. Diil.
To ABHO'R. T/. a. [abborrea, Lat.] To
hate with acrimony ; to detell to extre-
mity ; to loath ; to abominate.
■Whilll I was b g in claraout, came a man.
Who having freii ;iie in my worferftate,
Shunn'd my abhorrd fociety.
Sl'akefpcaie's K. Lear,
Juftly thou abb:^rryi
That fon, who on the qaict ftate of men
Such trouble brought, aflfefting Co fubdue
Rational liberty.
Mill. ParaJ, Loji, 6. xii. /. 79.
The felf.fame thing they wilt abbn>
One way, and long another for.
Hudibras, p, i. cant, f ,
A church of England man abhors the humour
of the age, in delighting to Aing fcandals upon the
clergy in general i which, befides the difgracsto
the reformation, and to religion itfcif, cafts an ig-
nominy upon the kingdom. Stvift, Ch, ofEng,
AbHo'rRENCE. 1 r re II 1
A r > n.f, I from aoMr.l
Abho rrencv. i -^ '• ■•
1 . The a£t of abhorring, deteflation.
It draws upon him the hatred and abhorrence of
all men here ; and fubjedts him to the wrath of
God hereafter. Soutb's Hcrmmst
2. The difpofition to abhor, hatred.
Even a juft arid neceflary defence does, by giv.
ing men actguaintance with war, take oS' Ibine-
what from the abhorrence of it, and infenfibly dif-
pol'e them to hoftilities. Dec<iy of Piety,
The firft tendency to any injuftlce that appears,
muft be fupprerted with a (how of wonder and ai-
borrency in the parents and governours.
Locke on Education, § 1 10.
Abho'rrekt. adj. [from fl^ar.]
1 . Struck with abhorrence ; loathing.
For if the worlds
In worlds inclos'd could on his fenfes burft.
He would abhorrent turn.
Thomjons Summer, I. 3io»
2. Contrary to, foreign, inconfiflent with.
It is ufed with the particles from or to,
but more properly w\t.\ifrom.
This I conceive to be an hypothefis, well worthy
a rational belief; and yet it is fo abhorrent frr.m
the vulgar, that they would as foon believe Anaxa.
goras, that fnow is black, as him that Ihould af-
firm it is not white.
GlantiiUe' s Sceffis Sciem. c. 12.
Why then thefe foreign thoughts of ftate em-
ployments.
Abhorrent to your funftjon and your breeding ?
Poor droning truants of unpraftis'd cells,
Bred in the fcUow(hip of bearded boys.
What wonder is it if you know not vntrs ?
Dryden,
Abho'rrer. n.f. [from abhor.] The per-
fon that abhors ; a hater, deteller.
The lower clergy were railed at, for difputing
the power of the bilhops, by the known ahborrers
of cpifcopacy, and abuli^d for doing nothing in
the convocations, by thefe very men who wanted
to bind up their hands. Siuifl. Examiner, N° 2i.
Abho'rring. The objeft of abhorrence.
This feems not to be the proper uie of
the participial noun.
They (hall go forth, and look upon the carcafes
of the men that have tranlgreflcd againft Me :
for their worm (hall not die, neither (hall their
fire be quenched, and they ihall be an abhorring
unto all fie(h. Ij'aiab, Ixvi. 44.
To ABI'DE. -K. n. I abode or abid. [from
bibian, or aubibian. Sax.]
1 . I'o dwell in a place ; not remove ; t»
ilay.
Thy fervant became furety for the lad unto my
father, faying. If 1 bring him not unto thee, then
I (hall bear the blame to my father for ever. Now
therefore I pray thee, let thy fervant abide inftead
rf the lad, a bondman to my lord j and let the
lad go up with his brethren. Gen. xliv. 31, 33-.
2. To dwell.
The Marquis Dorfet, as I hear, is fled
To Kichmond, in the parts where he abides. ■
Shakejp. Richard III.
Thofe who apply themfclves to learning, are
forced to acknowledge one God, incoriuptible and
unbegotten ; who is the only true being, anu aliJei
for ever ibove th- higheft heavens, from whence
He beholds all the things thac are done in heaven
Md earth.
StilHngfi. Defence of Di/c. on Rom. Ido/ai,
3. To
A B I
3. To remain ; not ceafe or fail} to be
immoveable.
They chat truft in the Lord (hall be as mount
ZioPi whxh cannot be removed, but ahUdtb for
ever. PJa/m cxxv. 1.
4. To continae in the fame ftate.
The tejr of the Lord toiJcth to life ; and hs
that hath it (hall ao:Je fatistied. Pr',v. xix. 23
There can be no ftuJy without time; and the
mind mull j&iJi and dwell upon things, or be al-
ways a ftranger to the infijc of them. South.
5". To endure without offence, anger, or
contradiftion.
Who canaiiVr, that, againli their own doilors,
fix whole books ^ould by their fatherhoods be im-
periuuOy obtruded upon God and his church ?
Ha!!.
6. It is ufed with the particle ivit/f be-
fore a perfon, and at or in before a place.
It is tetter that I give her to thee, than that 1
Jhould give her to another man : ylMde ivith me.
G-.r, xx'ix, 19.
For thy fervant vowed a vow, while I atoJt at
Ge/hur in Syria, faying, if the Lord {ball bring me
again indeed to Jerufalem, then 1 will ferve th::
Lord. 2 Sam. xv. S.
7. It is ufed with hy before a thing; as, to
abide by his teftimony ; to abide by his
own (kill ; that is, to rely upon them ; to
abide by an opinion ; to maintain it ; to
abide by a man, is alfo, to defend or /up
fort him. But thefe forms are fome-
thing low.
Of the participle aiid, I have found
only the example in Woodward, and
(hould rather determine thztabidein the
aftive fenfe has no paflive participle, or
compounded preterite.
To Abi'de. t/. a.
1. To wait for, e.-cpeft, attend, wait upon,
await : ufed of things prepared for per-
fons, as well as of perfons expecting
■things.
Home is be brought, and laid in fumptuous bed,
Where many Ikilful leeches him aliuie.
To f:.Iwe his hurts. Fairy S^ueen, b. i. c, ^. fi. 17.
Whil': lions war, and battle for their dens,
Poor harmief; iambs thidt their enmity.
Sbah^f. Hen. VI. f. 3.
Bonds and affliOinns aiije mc. y^ffs, xx. 23.
2. To bear or fupport the confequences of
a thing.
Ah me ! they little know
How dearly I tt'ule that bead fo vain.
Milloit'i Par. Left.
3. To bear or fupport, without being con-
quered or deftroyed.
But the Lord lie is the true God, he is the
living Cod, and an everlafling Icing : At his
wrath the earth (hall tremble, and the nations
Aallntbe .ible tOd^;i/r his indignation. Jtr. x. 10.
It muft le allowed a fair prefumption in favour
of the truth of my doilrines, that they hav3 abid
a very rigorous teft now for above thirty years,
and the mote ftiirtly they are looked into, the
moie they are confirmed. IVxdviard, Litter i.
4. To bear without averfion ; in which
fenfe it is commonly ufed with a nega-
tive.
Thou canit not abide Tiridates; thia is but
iove of th)fcl(. Sidney, b. ii.
Thy vile race,
Though thou didA learn, had that io't, which
g!>)i natures
Gould not abide tube with; therefore wall thou
Oefervcdly confin d unto this rock.
Sbahff. Ttmfrft.
J. To bear or uffcr,
A B J
Girl witk circumfluous tides,
He ftiU calamitous conllraint abides.
Pope'i Odyf b. iv. /. 750
Abi'der. n.f. \^{iom abide.] The perfon
that abides or dwells in a place ; per-
haps that lives or endures. A word
little in ufe.
Abi'ding. ti.f. [from abide."] Continu-
ance ; (lay ; fixed ftate.
We arc (Irangers before Thee and fojourners, as
were all our fathers : our days on the earth ate as
a fliadow, and there is none abidirg.
1 Ciyran. xxix, 15.
The air in that region is fo violently removed,
and carried about with fuch fwiftnefs, as nothing
in tlut place can confifl or have abidirg.
Raiv'eigl.'i Hift:iry ^ihe ffcrld.
A'BJECT. adj. \^abjeifus, Lat. thrown
away as of no value.]
1. Mean; worthlefs ; bafe ; groveling:
fpoken of perfons, or their qualities.
Rebellion
Came like itfelf in bafe and ahjcS routs.
Led on by bloody yourh grjaJed with rage.
And counceoanc'd by boys and beggary.
Sbahfprare't Henry IV.
I wa? at fird, as other bealls thkr graze
The trodJcn herb, of abjed thoughts and low.
Milt. Para-.aje Left, b. ix. /. 571,
Honed men, who tell ;heir fovereigns what they
expeft from them, and what obedience they fliall
be always ready to pay them, are not upon an
equal foot with bafe and abjrfl flatterers.
Aldifin'a fnig Examiner.
2. Being of no hope or regard ; ufed of
condition.
The rarer th^ example (lands,
Ey how much trom the top of wond'rous gbry,
Strongeft nf mortal men.
To loweft pitch of aijeS fortune thou art fall'n.
Milton's Sampfin ^gcmftcs.
We fee man and woman in the higheft inno-
cence and perfeflion, and in the moft abjc^ ftate
of guilt and infir.nity.
yfddijon. SftHator, N" 279.
3. Mean and defpicable ; ufed of aflions.
'1 he rapine is f) abjcfl and profane.
They not from trifles, nor from gods refrain.
Dryden'i Juvenal, Sat. 8.
To what bafe ends, and by what abjea ways.
Are mortals urg'd through facred lull of praif • ?
^ P'.l>e's Ejjjy an Criticifm.
Abject, n.f. A man without hope; a
manwhofe miferies are irretrievable;
one of the loweft -condition.
Yea, the akjeHi gathered themfclvcs together
againft m^c. pfalm xixv. 15.
To Abje'ct. v. a. [abjicio, Lat.] To
throw away. A word rarely ufed.
Abje'ctedness. n.f. Ifrom abjed.] The
ftate of an abjedt.
Our Saviour would love at no !efs rate than
death; and, from the fupereml:icr,t height of
glory, ftooped and abafed himfejf to tire fuft^^rancc
of the extremcft of indignities, and lunk himfelf
to the bottom of abjifiidntfs , to exalt our condi-
tion to the contrary extreme. B(,yle's fVorks.
Abje'ction. w./. [homabjea.'] Mean-
hefsofraind; want of fpirit ; fervility;
bafenefs.
That this (hould be termed bafenefs, abjeaitin
of mind, or fervility, is it crcJijle ?
H'yoier,,b. v. ^ 47.
The juft medium lies betwixt pride and the
abjcBian, the two extremes. VEftrange.
A'bjectly. ad'u. [from abje^.] In an
abjcft manner, meanly, balcly, fer-
vilely, contemptibly.
A'BJECT^•Ess, n./. [from abjea."] Ab-
jeftiony fervility, meannefs.
A B J
Servility and aljeBncJs of humour is implicitlir
involved in the charge of lying.
Government of the Tongue, § 8.
By humility I mean not the abjtlincjs of a bafa
mind : but a prudent care not to over-value our-
felves upon any account.
Gn^u^s Cofmclogia Sacra, b. ii. e. 7.
Abi'lity. n.f. [Babihte, Fr.]
I. The power to do any thing, whether
depending upon (kill, or riches, or
ftrength, or any other quality.
Of finging thou hall got tiie reputation.
Good Thyrfis, mine 1 yield to thy ability j
My heart doth feek another eftimation.
Sidney, b, u
If aught in my ability may ferve
To lighten what thou iulier'll, and appeafe
Thy mind with what amends is in my pow'r.
Milton s Sumfjon Agoniftei, I. 74^
They gave after their ab'dity unto the treafure.
Exra, ii. 69.
If any man minifter, let him do it as of the-
ability v^•hich God givcth ! that God in all things
may be glorified through JefusChrift. i Pa. iv. 11.
Wherever we find our abilities too weak for the
performance, he affures us of the afliftance of his
Holy Spirit, Rogeis's Sermons.
z. Capacity of mind; force of underftand-
ing ; mental power.
Children in whom tjiere was no blemilh, but"
well-favoured, and (kilful in all wifdom, and cun-
ning in knowledge, and underllanding fcience, .
and fuch as had ability in them to ftand in the
king's palace. Can. i. 4.
2. When it has the plural number, abi/i^
ties, it frequently fignifies the faculties
or powers of the mind, and fometimes
the force of underftanding given by na-
ture, asdiftinguifhedfrom acquired qua-
lifications.
Whether it may be thought nccefTary, that in
certain trails of country, like what we call pa-
rities, there (hould be one man, at lead, of abili-
ties to read and write ? Stuift.
Abinte'state. adj. [of etb, from, and
intejiatiis, Lat.] A term of law, im-
plying him that inherits from a man„
■ who, though he had the power to mate
a will, yet did not make it.
To A'bjugate. 1/. a. [abjugc, Lat.] To
unyoke, to uncouple. Bin
To ABJU'RE. v. a. [abjuro, Lat.]
1 . To caft off upon oath, to fwear not to
do or not to have fomething.
Either to die the death, or to abjure
For ever the fociety •■» man.
Sbakcjpeare's Midfum. Night's Dreaiir^
No man, therefore, that hath not abjured hi»
reafon, and Ivvorn allegiance to a preconceived
fantadical hypothefis, can undertake the defence
of fuch a fuppofjtion. Hale,
2. To retraci, recant„ on abnegate a po,
(ition upon oath.
Abjiira'tion. »./ [horn abjure.} The
aft of abjuring^ The oath takea for ,
that end.
Until Henry VIIL his time, if a man, havina
committed felony, could go. inio a church, o»
church-yard, before he were apprehended, he might
not be takeji from thence to the ufual trial of law,
but confcfling his fault to the juftices, or to thr
coroner, gave his oath to forfakc tlie realm for
ever, which wascalled abjuration.
There are fome abjurations dill in force among
U5 here in England ; a.», by the (latute of the 2jth.
of king Charles II. all persons that are aitmittcd
into any odice, civil or military, mud take the
teft 5 which is an ahjuratim'oS iomcdoclrines ot
the church of Rome.
There is likewile another oath of clJuraiiM,
which.
A3 L
ABO
ABO
-which laymsn and clergymen are bath obllgeil to
take; and thai is to at jure tlic Pretender.
Ail^e's Panrgrtn "Jurii Cutionici*
To ABLA'CTATE. v. a. [ablaao, Lat.]
To wean from the breaft.
Ablacta't ION. n.j. One of the me-
thods of grafting ; and, according to
the fignification of the word, as it were
X weaning ol a cyon by degrees from its
mother ituck ; not cutting it off wholly
from the Itock, till it is firmly united
to that on which it is grafted.
Ab I A qjj E a't ion. tt./. [^ahlaqueatie, Lat. ]
The art or praftice of opening the
ground about the roots of trees, to let
the air and water operate upon them.
Trench the 'ground, and make it ready Jor the
fpting : Prepare alio foil, and ufe it where you
have occafion : Dig borders. Uncover as yet roots
oftieet, where ablajucmion is requifite.
jLvtilyii's Kahndar,
The tenure in chief is the very root that doth
«iaint:iin this fihxr ^tm, that by many rich and
fruitful branches fpreadcth itfelf : fo if it be luf-
fered to ftarve, by want of ablatjueal'ion, and
other good liulbandry, this yearly fruit will much
decrcafe. Bacm's Office af AlUnaiions.
ABLA'TION. »./ [ablatio, Lat.] The
aft of taking away.
A'hlative. n. a. [eblati'vus, Lat.]
1 . That which takes away.
2. Thefixth cafe of the Latin nouns; the
cafe which, among other fignifications,
includes the perfon from whom fome-
thing is taken away. A term of gram-
mar.
A'BLE. aJj. [habile, Fr. habilis, Lat.
Ikilful, ready.]
1. Having ftrong faculties, or great ftrength
or knowledge, riches, or any otiier
power of mind, body, or fortune.
Henry VU. was not afraid of an able man, as
LcwTs the Eleventh was. But, contrariwife, iic
was ferved by the abUfi men that were to be found ;
without which his aifairs could not have profpercd
a? they did. Baccn's Henry VII.
Such gambol faculties he hath, that (hew a
weak mind and an abU body, for the which the
prince admits him. Shakejf, Henry IV. f. ii.
2. Having power fnfficient ; enabled.
All mankind acknowledge tiiemfelves able and
fulHcient to do many things, which aftually they
never do. South", Serm.
Every man (hall give as he is able, according to
the bleliing of the Lord ».y God, which he hath
■ given thee. _ Deut. xvi. 17.
3. Before a verb, with the particle to,
it fignifies generally having the power.
Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous j but
who is able to ftand before envy ? Prw, xxvii. 4.
4. With /or it is not often nor very pro-
perly ufed.
There have been fome inventions alfo, which
have been able for the utterance of articclate
founds, as the fpeaking of ccrt.iin word*.
Wi/imi'j Mathematlal Magic.
To A'ble. v. a. To make able; to en-
able, which is the word commonly ufed.
See Enable.
Plate fin with gold.
And the ftrong lance of jufticc hurtiefs breaks ;
Arm it with rags, a pigmy's ftraw doth pierce it.
None does offend, none, I fay none, I'll able 'em ;
Take that of me, my friend.
Shakefpcare* s Kir.g hear.
Able-bodied. o<^'. Strong of body.
It lies in the power of every fine woman, to fe-
«urc at leaft half a doaen able-h'Jicd men to his
tn^eAj'l fervice. Add'ijai. FncbslJcr, N" 4.
To A'BLEGATE. v. a. [ablep. Lat.]
To fend abroad upon fome employment ;
to fend out of the way. Di£l.
Ablega'tion. tt./. [from abUgate.'\ The
adl of fetiding abroad. Di£i.
A'bleness. n.f. [from able.'] Ability of
body or mind, vigour, force.
That nation 4oth fo excel, both for comelinefs
and abtenejs, that from neighbour countries they
ordinarily come, fome to ftrive, fome to learn,
fome to behold. SiJniy, b. ii.
A'blepsy. a. / [aSxt-i'M, Gr.] Want
of fight, blindnefs; unadvifednefs. D/V7.
Abliguri'tion. n./. [abliguritio, hzt.]
Prodigal expence on meat and drink.
D.'3.
TV A'bligatb. v. a, [abligo. Lit,"] To
tic up from. - Di<S.
To A'BLOCATE. v. a. [abloco, Lat.] To
let out to hire.
Perhaps properly by him who has hired
it from another.
Calvin^ s Lexicon Juridicum.
Abloca'tion. ti. j. [from ablocate.] A
letting out to hire.
To Ablu'de. -v. n. [abludo, Lat.] To be
unlike. Dia.
A'b l u e n t. adj. [abluens, Lat. from abluo,
to wa(h away.]
1. That which wafhes clean.
2. That which has the power of cleanfmg.
Dia.
Ablu'tion. tt./. [ablttfio, Lat.]
1 . The aft of cleanfmg, or walhing clean.
There is a natural analogy between the ablution
of the body and the purification of the foul ; be-
tween eating the holy bread and drinking the facred
chalice, and a participation of the body and blood
of Chrift. Baylor t Worthy Covtmunicant.
z. The water ufed in wafhing.
Wafh'd by the briny wave, the pious train
Are deans'd, and call th* ablutions in the main.
Pope's Iliad.
3. The rinfing of chemical preparations in
water, to diffolve and walh away any
acrimonious particles.
4. The cup given, without confecration,
to the laity in the popifli churches.
To A'BNEGATE. i>. a. [from abnego,
Lat.] To deny.
Abnega'tion. n.f. [abnegatia, Lat. de-
nial, from abtiego, to deny.] Denial,
renunciation.
The abnegation or renouncing of all his own
holds and intciefts, and trufts of all that man is
mod apt to defend upon, that he may the more
expeditely follow Chrift. Hammond.
Abnoda'tion. n.f. [abnodatio, Lat.]
The aft of cutting away knots from
trees : a term of gardening. DiS.
Abno'rmous. adj. [abnormis, Lat. out
of rule.] Irregular, milhapen. DiSi.
Abo'ard. adv. [a fea-term, but adopted
into common language; derived im-
mediately from the French a bord, as,
aller a lord, eifvoyer a bord. Bord is
itfelf a word of very doubtful original,
and perhaps, in its different accepta-
tions, deducible from different roots.
Bopb, in the ancient Saxon, fignified a
hatife ; in which fenfe, to go aboard, is
to take up refidence in a Ihip.
I. In a ihip.
He loudly eall'd to fuch as were abnari.
The little bark unto the Hiore to draw,
And him to ferry over that deep ford.
Fairy Sueeti, b. ii. cant. 6.
He might land them, if it plcafcd him, or
otlierwife keep them aboard.
Sir W. Ratvleigb's EJ/ayt,
2. Into a Ihip.
When morning rofe, I fent my matea to bring
Supplies of water from a ncighb'rlng fpring,
Whilft I the motions of the wind expio: 'd ;
Then fummon'd in ray crew, and went abcarJ,
jiddifin'i Ovid's Mr:ami>rfht^es, i. iiK
Abo'de. tt./. [from abide.] ,
1. Habitation, dwelling, place of refi-
dence.
But I know thy abode and thy going out, and
thy coming in, 2 ^'"gh »i»- -t?"
Others may ufe the ocean as their road.
Only the Englilh make it their abode;
Whofe ready fa'ijs with every wind can fly.
And make a cov'nant with th' inconftant flcy.
fP'ailer.
2. Stay, continuance in a place.
Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode;
Not I, but my affairs, have made you wait,
Sbakefpeare's Merchant o/V^mce,
Making a Ihort abode in Sicily the fecond time,
landing in Italy, and making the war, may be rea*
fonably judged the bufinefs but often months.
Dryden's Dedicat. to jSneiJ.
The woodcocks early vifit, and abode
Of long continuance in our temp'rate dime,
Foretcl a liberal harveft. PhilUpt.
3. To make abode. To dwell, torefide, to
inhabit. .
Deep in a cave the Sibyl makes abode ;
Thence full of fate retum? , and of the God.
Dryd. jEn. 6.
7e Abo'de. i». a. [See Bode.] To fore-
token or fbrefhow ; to be a prognoflic,
to be ominous. It is taken, with its de-
rivatives, in the fenfe either of good or
ill.
Every man,
After the hideous ftorm that follow'd, was
A thing infpir'd ; and, not confulcing, broke
Into a general prophecy, that this tempcft,
Da/hing the garment of this peace, abodcd
The fudden breach of it. Sbakrff. Henry VIII.
Abo'dement. n.f. [frova To abode.] A
fecret anticipation of fomething future ;
an impreflion upon the mind of fome
'event to come; prognoftication ; omen.
I like not this.
For many men that ftumbic at the thre/hold,
Are well furttoid that danger lurJcs within.—
— Tuih 1 man, abodimcnti muft not now affright us.
Shakcjfcarc's Henry VI. f, ili.
My lord bilhop alked him, Whether he had never
any lecret abodcincnt iir his mind ? No, replied the
duke; but I think fome adventure may kill me as
well as another man, ff^ot/on*
To AB'OLISH. -j. a. [aboleo, Latin.]
1. To annul ; to make void. Applied to
laws or inllitutions.
For us to aboltjh what he hath cftablilhed, were
prcfumption molt intolerable. Hcoktr, b. iii. ^ 10.
On the paiilamcnt's part it was propoled, that
all the biihops, deans, and chapters, might be im-
mediately taken away, and abolijhcd.
Clarendon, b, viii.
2, To put an end to, to deftroy.
The long continued wars between the Engli/h
and the Scots, had then raifed invincible jea-
loufies and hate, which long continued peace hath
fince abitijhfd. Sir Jchn Hayward.
Tiiat Jhall Perocles well requite, I wot,
And, with thy blood, aboltfi fo reproachful blot.
Fairy S^uecn,
More deftroy'd than they.
We ihould be quite abolyb'd, and expire,
Milton.
« Or
ABO
Or wilt thou tJijfsIf
Abtl'i/h thy CT«3tion, and unrrake
For him, what for thy glory thou haft made ?
Miltin, t- iii. A 163.
Nor cotild Vuicjnian flame
The ftench abuhjh, or the favour tame.
Dryd. yirg, Geo, iii.
Fermented Tpirits contraft, harden, and con-
folidate many 6bres together, abolUhing many ca-
nals ; efpecinlly where the fibres are the tendereft,
as in the brain. Arhutb, en Altttunti.
Abo'i. !SH ABLE. a;^'. \^xova abolijh .'\ That
which may be abolifhed.
Abo'lisher. «,/. [from ahelijh.l He that
aboliflies.
Abo'lishment. n./. [from aiolijh.'] The
aft of aboliftiing.
The plain and dircfl way had been to prove,
that all fuch ceremonies, as they require to be
aboli/hcd, are retained by us with the hurt of the
church, or with lefs benefit than the abalipmcr.!
of them would bring. Jiccirr, b. iv.
He Ihould think the thchjhmert of cpifcopacy
among us, would prove a mighty Icandat and cor-
ruption to our faith, and manifeftly dangerous to
our monarchy. SiL'ifri Cburcb of Enfrland Man.
Aboli'tion. n.f. [from a^c/r/A.] The aft
of aboliftiing. '1 his is now more fre-
quently ufed than aboUjhment.
From the total abdiihn of the popular power,
may be dated the ruin of Rome : for hi;u the re-
ducing hereof to its ancient condition, propofeil
by Agrippa, been accepted inllead of Matcenas's
model, that ftate might have continued unto this
day. Crt%o*i Cofmclogia Sacra, b, iii. r. 4.
An apoplexy is a fudden abelitUn of all tht-
fenfes, and of all voluntary motion, by the ftop-
page of the flux and reflux ot the animal fpirits
through the nerves dellined for thofe motions.
Arbuttnu on Our.
Abo'minable. aJj. [alominabilij, Lac]
1. Hateful, deteilable ; to be loathed.
This infernal pit
yiiom'waile, accurs'd, the haufe of woe.
Aiilun .
The queen and miniftry might eafily redref
this abominab/e grievance, by endeavouring t»
choofc men of virtuous principles.
Sivifi^s Przjffifor the Advancement of Relighn.
2. Unclean.
The foul that Ihall touch any unclean beaft, or
any abominable unclean thing, even that foul Ihall be
cut off from his people. Leviticus, vii. 21.
3. In low and ludicrous language, it is
a word of loofe and indeterminate cen-
fure.
They fay yon Me a melancholy fcllow.^I am
fo ; I do love it better than laughing. — Thofe
th-t are in extremity of cither, arc abominab/e
fellr'jvs, and betray themfelves to every modern
cenfurr, worfe than drunkards.
Stakeffeare'i As you fUeir.
Abo'minableness. n. / [from abomin-
able.] The quality of being abomin-
able ; hatefulncfs, odioufnefs.
Till we have proved, in its proper place, the
eternal and cffcnlial difference between virtue And
»i<e, we muft forbear to urge athcifts with the
corruption and abominablinefs of their principles.
Bentley's Sermors.
A B o'm I !« A B I, Y . adv. [from abominable.]
A word of low or familiar language,
fignifying exccflively, extremely, ex-
ceedingly ; in an ill fcnfe. It is not
often fenoufly ufed.
I have obicrved great abufea and diforders in
your family ; your ferv.int3 are mutinrru* and
i]uarielfome, and cheat you mod abonisahly.
Arluiinot.
To ABO'MINATE. -v. a. [alminor, Lat.]
To abhor, decdt, hate utterl/
ABO
Pride goes, bated, curfcd, and ahmtnated t>y
all, Hammond*
We arc not guilty of your injuries,
No way confent to them ; but do ai>Iior>
Abominatef and loath thJs cruelty.
Southern*! Oroonok^*
He profened both to ahommate and defpife all
myftery, refinement, and intrigue, either in a
prince or minifter. S^vift.
A BO MI N a'tION. «.y*.
1. Hatred, detertation.
To affift king Charles by Engllfli or Dutch
forces, would rendi^r him odious to his new fub-
jefls, who have nothing in fo great abomination,
as theft: whom they hold for heretic?. Sivift^
2. The objed of hatred.
Every ilicphcrd is an abomination to the Egyp-
tians. Gentjis, xlvi. 34.
3. Pollution, defilement.
And there fhall in no wife enter Into it any
thing that defileth, neither whatfocver worketh
ahminaticny or maketh a lie. Rt'v, xxi. 27.
4. Wickednefs ; hatefol or fhameful vice.
Th' adulterous Antony, n»eft large
In his abcminationtf turns you oft.
And gives his potent regiment Co a trull.
That nofcs it agaioil: us.
Sbakefp, Antan^ and Cleopatra,
5. The caufe of pollution.
And the high places ihat were before Jerufa-
Icm, which, wcce on the right hand of the mount
of corruption, which Solomon the king of Ifrael
had builded for Aihtorcth the abominatkn of the
Zldonians, and for Chemo/h the ab'.minaticn of
the Moabites, and iot Milcom the abomination ot
the children cf Ammon, did the king defile.
2 fCirgSj xxiii, 13.
JBORIGINES. n.f. [Lat.] The earlieft
inhabitants of a country ; thofe of whom
no original is to be traced; as, the Welfli
in Britain.
To ABO'RT. -v. n. [abcrto, Lat.] To bring
fxth before the time ; to mi(carry. /)/<?.
Abo'rtion. n.f. [uborlio, Lat.]
1. The aft of bringing forth untimely.
Thefe then need caufe na aborticn. Sandyi.
2. The produce of an untimely birth.
His wife mifcarricd ; but, as the abortion proved
only a female foetus, he comforted himlclf.
Arbutknot and Pt.pe't Martinus Scribkrui.
Behold my arm thus blaftcd, dry and withcr'd,
Shnjnlc like a foul alortif^n, and decay'd,
Lilce fome untimely produ£l of the feafons.
R(nve.
Abo'rtive. n.f. That which is born be-
fore the due time. Perhaps anciently
any thing irregularly produced.
No common wind, no cultomcd event.
But they wi lipluck away its nat'ral caufes.
And call them meteors, prodigies, and figns,
Abortives, and prcfages, tongues ot heav'n.
Plainly denouncing vengeance upon John.
Shakejp. King yobn.
Take the fine (kin of an abortive, and, with
Aarch thin laid on, prepare your ground or tablet.
Peacbam on Dratvirtg.
Many are preferved, and do lignal fervicc to
their cnintry, who, without a provifion, might
have perilled as abcrtit-es, or have come to an
untimely end, and perhaps have brought upon
their guilty parents the like dcftruftion.
AJdifon. Guardian, N" 106.
Abo'rtiyI!. ac/J, [abortiviis, Lat.]
I . That which u brought forth before the
due time of birth.
If ever he have child, abtrtive be it.
Prodigious, and untimely brought to light.
Sbakefp. Richard n\.
All th' unaccomplifli'd works of nature's hand.
Abortive, monftrous, or unkindly mix'd,
Diflo.v'd on earth, fleet liithcr.
Mi Umi ' > Paradif; LcJI, bXa, 56.
A B a
Nor will his fruit expeft
Th' autumnal fjafon, but, in fummer's pride
When other orchards fmile, abortive fail.
Phillifs.
2. Figuratively, that which fails for want
of time.
How often haft thou waited at my cup.
Remember it, and let it make thee creft-fall'n y
Ay, and allay this thy abortive pride.
Sbakefp. Henry VI. f. iu
3. That which brings forth nothing.
The void profound
Of nneffential night receives him next.
Wide-gaping ; and with utter lofs of being
Threatens him, plurgM in that abcrtive gulfl
Milton's Pnradifc Loji, b. ii. /. 4jr»
4. That which fails or mifcarries, from
whatever caufe. This is lefs proper.
Many politic conceptions, fo elaborately formed
and wrought, and grown at length ripe for delivery,
do yet, in the iffue, mifcarry and prove abortive.
South^s Sermins*
Abo'ktively. ach). [from aborti-T.'e.'] Born
without the due time; immaturely, un-
timely.
Abo'rtiveness. ft. y. [from abortive.^
The ftate of abortion.
Abo'r.tment. «. /. [from abort.] The
thing brought forth out of time ; an un-
timely birth.
Concealed treafures, now loft to mankind, (hall
be brought into ufe by the induftry of converted
penitents, whole wretched carcafes the impartial
laws dedicate, as untimely tcafts, to the worms
of the earth, in whofe womb thofe dcfcrted mi-
neral riches muft ever lie buried as loft aborttnen's^
unlefs thofe be made the adlive midwives to de-
liver them. Bacon^s Pbyjical Remains*,
ABO'VE. fref. [from a, and bupan,
Saxon ; bo'ven, Dutch.]
1. To a higher place; in a higher place.
So when with crackling flames a cauUlron fries^
The bubbling waters from the bottom rife ;
Above the brims they force their fiery way ;
Black vapours climb aloft, and cloud the day,
Dryden, ^mid vii. /. 643*
2. More in quantity or number.
E\cry one that palTeth among then), that are-
numbered from twenty years old and above, IhaU
give an ofF.ring unto the J^ord;
Exodus, XXX. 14.
3. In a fuperiour degree, or to a liiperiour
degree of rank, power, or ex'Ccllence.
The Lord is high above all nations, and hi»
glory above the heavens. PJalm. cxiii. 4.
The public power of all focicties is above every
foul contained in the fame focicties.
Hooker, b. i.
There is no riches above a found body, and no
joy above the joy of the heart.
EccleJ:aJ!icus,xxx,-^(i.
To her
Thn^ didft refign thy manhood, and the place
Wherein God fet thee above her, made of thee.
And for thee : whofe perfc^ion far exceU'd
Hers, In all real dignity. '
Milton's Paraiiife Loji. b. X. /. 147^
Latona fees her ihiae above the reft.
And feeds with fecret joy her filent breaft.
Drydeirs j-EntiJ,
4. In a (late of being faperior to ; unai-
• tainable by.
It is an old and true dift'nfiion, that things
may be above our reifon, without being contrary
to it. Of this kind are the power, the nature,
and the univerfal prefence of God, with innu-
merable other points. Swift*
5. Beyond; morfe than.
We were prcfl'ed out of meafure, above ftrength }
iofomuch that we defpaired even of life.
2 Cor. \. 8.
Jo baling thoughts voconfufed, and bciiig ab'^
ABO
to JiftmEulfti one thing from another, where there
is bat the le»ft diflcrencc, confifts the exaflnefs of
judgment »nd cleirnefs of reafon, which is in one
man ebtn'C another. L^ckt.
The inhabitants of Tirol liave miny privileges
eh(n/e tliol'e of the other hereditary countries of
thf emperor. MJifir.
6. Too proud for ; too high for. A phrafe
chiefly ufed in familiar expreffion.
Kings and princes, in the earlier ages of the
world, laboured in arts and occupations,, and were
thvc notliing that tended to promote the con-
\enienccs of life. I'tft'i Oiiyjly; r.Ms.
Abo've. adv.
I. Over-head ; in a higher place.
To men (landing below, men Handing aloft
feem much lelTcned ; to thofc ahcvc, men Handing
below, feem not fo much k-fl'encd. Bacon,
When he cftabllflied the clouds above; when
he Ihcngtlitncd the fountains of the deep ; when
he gave to the fca bis decree, that the waters fliould
not pafs his ccmmandment; when he appointed
tlie foundations of the earth ; then 1 was by him,
us, one brought up with him ; and I was daily his
delight, rejoicing always befire him.
Pnyterbs, viii, 48.
Every good gift, and every fti(a& ^ift, is from
atovty and comcth down from the Father of
lights, witli whom is no variablencfs, neither
fliadow of turning. yarr.es, i. ij.
The TrojansyVoBi ai^t their foes beheld ;
And with arm'd legions all the rampircs fiil'd.
Dryden, yEmid.
a. In the regions of heaven.
Your prailc the birds (hall chant in every grove,
And winds /hall waft it to the pow'rs above.
Pope's Pajiorah.
3, Before. [See Above-cited.]
I faid ahove, that thefe two machines of the ba-
lance, and the dira, were only ornamental, and
that the -fuccefs of the duel had been the fame
without them. Diyd. Vedicat. ^ne'id.
Above all. In the firft place ; chiefly.
I ftudied Virgil's defign, his difpofition of it,
his manners, his judicious management of the
ii jures, the fober retrenchments of his fenfe, which
always leaves fomethlng to gratify our imagina-
tion, on which it may enlarge at pleafure ; but
above ati, the elegSnce of bis expreffion, and th?
harmony of his numbers.
Dryden' s Dedieat'ion to the JEmid.
Above-board.
I. In open fight ; without artifice or trick,
A figurative expreffion, borrowed from
gamefters, who, when they put their
hands under the table, are changing
their cards. It is ufed only in familiar
language.
It is the part alfo of an honed man to deal
above-board, and without tricks. L'EJIratige.
a. Without difguife or concealment.
Though there have not been wanting fuch
heretofore, as have praftifed thefe unworthy arts,
for as much as there have been villains in all
placet and all ages, yet now-a-days they are
owned above-board. Soutb's Sermons.
Above-cited. Cited before. A figu-
rative expreffion, tak?n from the ancient
manner of writing books on fcrolls ;
where whatever is' cited or mentioned
before in the fame page, mull be abeme.
It appears from the authority abcve-cited, that
this is afaQ confcfled by heathens thomfclves.
yiddifon on the Cbtijiian Religion,
Above-crovnd. An expreffion ufed to
fignify alive ; not in the grave.
ABOVE-MENTiONED.See Above-cited.
1 do not remember, that Homer any whi-re falls
into the faults above-meniioned, which were indeed
tbe falTc refincmcats of latter ages.
.^ddijon, Sfel}aiir,'ti<' z-jij.
ABO
To ABO'UND. Vi n. [abundo, Ltt. abonJer,
French.]
1. To have in great plenty; to be co-
pioufly ftored. It is ufed fometimes
with the particle in, and fometimes the
particle luiih.
The king-becoming graces,
I have no relilb of them, but abound
In the divifion of each fevetal crime,
Afting it many ways. Shakejpeare's Macbeth,
Com, wine, and oil, are wanting to this ground.
In which our countiies fruitfully abound.
Drydcn's Indian Emperor.
A faithful man fliall abound tvilb bleffings :
but he that maketh hafte tu be rich, fliall not be
innocent. Prov. xxviii. 20.
Now that languages are made, and abound with
words (landing for combinations, an ulual way of
getting complex ideas, is by the explication of
thofe terms that (land for them. Locke.
2. To be in great plenty.
And becaule iniquity (hall abound, the love of
many (hall wax cold. Matthew, xxiv. 12.
Words are like* leaves, and where they moft
abound.
Much fruit of fenfe beneath is rarely found.
Pope's EJJay on Criticiftn.
ABO'UT. frep. [abutan, or aburon. Sax.
which feems to fignify encircling on the
outfide.]
I. Round, furrounding, encircling.
Let not mercy and truth forlake thee. Bind
them about thy neckj write them upon the table
of thy heart. Proverbs, iii. 3.
She cries, and tears her cheeks,
Her hair, her veft j and, (looping to the fands,
Mout his neck (he cad her trembling hands.
Dry den's Fables.
z. Near to.
Speak unto the congregation, faying, get you
up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan,
and Abiram. Exodus.
Thou doft nothing, Sergius,
Thou cand endeavour nothing, nay, not thin?:, j
But I both fee and hear it; and am with thee.
By and before, about and in thee too.
Ben yonf. Cataline.
. Concerning, with regard to, relat-
ing to.
When Conrtantine had (inifhed an houfe for
the fervice of God at Jcrufalem, the dedication
he judged a matter not unworthy, about the fo-
Icmn performance whereof, the greatcft part ol
the bifliopsin Chriftendom (hould meet together.
Hooker.
The painter is not to take fo much pains about
the drapery as about the face where the principal
refemblance lies. Drydrn.
They arc moft frequently ufed as words equi-
valent, and do both of tliem indifferently fignify
either a fpeculative knowledge of things, or a
praftlcal (kill about them, according to the exi-
gency of the matter or thing fpoken of.
^ill.t. Sermon i.
Theft is always a fin, although the particular
fpecies of it, and the denomination of particular
a^s, doth fuppofe pofitivelawstf^cur dominion and
property. SiilUn^Jlcct.
Children (hould always be heard, and fairlj and
kindly anfwcred, when they afk after any thing they
would know, and defire to be informed abcut.
Curiofity (hould be as carefully cheridied in chil-
dren, as other appetites fupprefled* Locke.
It hath been pra^ifed as a method of making
men's court, when they are a(ked abiut the ratr
of lands, the abilities of tenants, the (late of
trade, to anfwer that all things are in a flourifh-
ing condition. Sivift's Short yie^u of Inland.
^. In a ftate of being engaged in, or em-
ployed upon.
Our blelfed Lord was pleafed to command the
rcprefentation of his death and facrilice on the
crofi (hould be made by bieaking of bread and
ABO
elTufion of wine ; to fignify to ui the nature anl
facrednefs of the liturgy we an about. Taykr.
Labour, for labour's fake, is againll nature.
The underftanding, as well as all the other fa-
culties, choofcs always the /horted way to iu
end, would prefently obtain the knowledge ir is
about, and then fet upon fome new enquiry. But
this, whether laainefs or hafte, often mKleada
«• Locie.
Our armies ought to be provided with fecre-
Urics, to tell their ftory in plain tngliih, and to
let us know, in our mother tongue, what it is
our brave countrymen are about.
Mdifin. Spelt. N" 309.
5. Appendant to the perfon ; as deaths.
If you have this about jou.
As I will give you when we go, you may
Boldly affault the necromancer's hall.
Milton's Comus,
It is not ftrange to me, that perfons of the
fairer fex (hould like, in all things about them,
that handfomenefs for which they find themfelves
moft liked. Boyle on Colours.
6. Relating to the perfon, as a fervant, or
dependant.
Liking very well the young gentleman, fuch I
took him to be, admitted this Deiphantus about
roe, who well (hewed, there is no fervice like hi*
that ferves becaufe he loves. Sidney, b. ii.
7. Relating to perfon, as an aft or office.
Good coiporal, for my old dame's fake, ftand
my friend : (he hath no body to do any thing
about her when I am gone, and die is old and can-
not^ help herl'clf. Sbakcjpeare's Henry IV.
Abo'ut. ati'v.
I. Circularly, in a round ; eircum.
The weyward fiders, hand in hand,
Pofters of the fea and land.
Thus do go about, about.
Thrice to thine, and thrice to mine.
And thrice again to make up nine.
Sbakefp, Macleti.
:. In circuit, in compafs.
I'll tell you what I am about. — Two yards and
more.— No quips now, Piftol : indeed I am in
the waid two yards about} but I am about no
wade, I am about thrift. Shake/pearl.
A tun about was ev'ry pillar there,
A polifh'd mirrour (hone not half fo clear.
Diyd. Fables.
j. Nearly; circiler.
When the boats were come within about fixty
yards of the pillar, they found themfelves all
bound, and could go no farther; yet fo as they
might move to go about, but might not approach
nearer. Bacon's New yitalantis.
J.. Here and there ; every way ; circa.
Up role the gentle virgin from her place,
And looked all about, if (he might fpy
Her lovely knight.
Fairy Sluecn, b. i. cant. 'u. Jlanx, 33.
A wolf that was pad labour, in his old age,
borrows a habit, and (b about he goes, begging
charity from door to door, under the difguife of a
pi'gfim. L'E/lrange,
5. With to before a verb ; as, about to fly,
upon the point, within a fmall dirtance
of.
Thefe dying lovers, and their floating fons,
Sufpend the fight, and filence all our guns :
Beauty and youth, abjut to pcrilh, finds
Such ncble pity in brave Englilh minds. Waller,
6. Round ; the longeft way, in oppofition
to the Ihort llraight way.
Gold had thefe natures; gieatnefs of weight;
dofenefs of parts ; fixation; pliantncfs, or I'oft-
ncfs ; immunity from raft ; colour, or tindlure
of yellow: Therefore the fure way (though mod
about) to make golcl,>s to know the caulcs of the
fevcral natures before rehearftd.
Baccn'i Natural Hift. N" yii.
Spies ot the Volfcians
Held me ia chacc, that i was forced to wheel
Three
A B R
Three or faar miles aiout ; elk h«J I, Sir,
Hall an hour fince brought my report.
_ Sbakrfp, Corklanu$,
7. To bring about ; to bring to the point
or ftate defired ; as, he has brought about
his furpofes,
Wiiether this will be brought aioof, by breaking
his Iiead, I very much queition. Spfdanr.
8. To come about ; to ccjie to fbme certain
iiate or point. It has commonly the
idea of revolution, or gyration.
Wherefore it cime to pals, when the time was
come ahcu!, alter Hannah had conceived, that (he
*>"« ' fo"- I Snm. i. 20.
One evening it befel, that looking out,
The wind they long had wirtid was come aio/,/ ;
Well pleas'd they went to reft ; and if the gale
Till morn continu'd, both refolv'd to fall.
Dryd.Falila.
9. To go about ; to prepare to do it.
Did not Mofes give you the law, and yet none
o( you keepeth the law ? Why go ye about to kill
^^ • y^b"t vii. 19,
In common language, they fay, to
come about a man, to circum-vent him.
Some of thefe phrafes feem to derive
their original from the French a bout ;
'veitir a bout d'une cho/e ; njcnir a bout de
quelqu'un.
A. Bp. for Archbifhop ; which fee.
^BRACADA'BRJ. A fuperftitious charm
againft agues.
To ABRA'DE. v. a. [abrado, Lat.] To
rub off ; to wear away from the other
parts ; to wafte by degrees.
By thi« itieanj there may be a continued fap-
ply of what IS lucccflively ahradid from them by
dccurfinn of wale t. Hale.
Abraham's Balm. The name of an
herb.
Abra'siom. (I./ [See Abrade.]
1. The adl of abrading, or rubbiog off.
2. [In medicine.] The wearing away of
the natural mucus, which covers the
membranes, particularly thofe of the
ftomach and guts, by corrofive or Iharp
medicines, or humours. ^'>uincy.
3. The matter worn off by the attrition of
bodies.
ABRE'AST.a^/t;. [See Breast.] Side by
fide ; in fuch a pofition that the breads
may bear againft the fame line.
My coufin Suffolk,
My foul (hall thine keep company to hcav'n !
Tarry, fweet foul, for mine, then fly abrraft.
_ . Xhakrff. H,nry V.
For hon.iur travels in a Sreight fo narrow.
Where one but goes abicajl,
_, . Stakcff.TnUuiandCreJpJa.
The riders rode abrtaft, and one his (hielH,
His lance of cornel wood another held.
4. _ Drydtn't Fttla.
ABRicoT. See Apricot.
To nRI'DGE. -v. a. [abreger, Fr. abbre-
•vio, Lat.]
I. To make Ihorter in words, keepine
ftill the fame fubftance.
All thefe fayings, being declared by Jafm of
Cyrene in 6ye books, we will effay to abridit in
one volume. i Af^rr.ii. 23.
3. To contraa, to diminifti, to cut (hort.
. 7,^' determination of the will, upon enouiry,
IS following the direftion of that guide : and he,
that ha. a power to aO or not to aft, according
as fuch determination direfls, i. free. Such de-
termination abridga not that power wherein li-
berty confifts. Loikc
3. To deprive of ; to W off from. In"
Vol. I.
A B R
which fenfe it is followed by the particle
from, or of, preceding the thing uken
away.
I have difaWed mine eftate.
By (hewing fomcthing a more fwelling poit.
Than my faint means would grant continuance ;
Nor do I now make moan to be abridgd
From fuch a noble rate.
Shaktjpcare'i Merchant of Venice.
They were formerly, by the common law, dif-
charged from pontage and murage j but this pri-
vilege has been abridrid them fince by fe>eral
ftatutes. Ayhfe~! PaiergcK Jurn CwrMci
AhKi DGED OF. fa-t. Deprived of, de-
barred from, cut fliort,
Abri'dger. n.f.
1. He that abridges ; a Ihortener.
2. A writer of compendiums or abridg-
ments,
A B R i'd G M E N T. »./. [abregcfnent, French.]
1. The epitome of a larger work con-
tradled into a fmall compafs ; a com-
pend ; a fummary.
Surely this commandment containeth the law
and the prophets; and, in thi; one word, is the
abridgment of alt volumes of Icripture.
Hookcry b. ii. ^ 5.
Idolatry is certainly the firft-born of folly, the
great and leading paradox ; nay, the very abridg-
ment and fum total of all abfu.ditics.
. Soutb*s Sermon:,
2. A diminution in general.
All trying, by a love of littlcncfs,
To make abrid^menti, and to draw to lefs.
Even that nothing, which at firft wc were.
_^ . Dcnne.
3. Contraction ; redudion.
The conftant delire of happincfs, and the con-
ftraint it puts upon Us, no body, I think, ac-
counts an abridgment of liberty, or at lead an
abridgment of liberty to be complained of. Locke.
4. Rertraint from any thing pleafing ;
contraftion of any thing enjoyed.
It is not barely a man's abridgment in his ex-
ternal accommodations which makes him mife-
rable, but when his confcieoce (hall tell him that
It was his fin and his folly which brought him
under that abridgment. South.
Abro'ach. ad'i/. [See 7"o Broach.]
1. In a pofture to run out, or yieltl the
liquor contained; properly fpoken of
vefibls.
The jars of genVous wine
He fet abroach, and for the fcaft prepar'd.
Dryd. Virgil.
TheTempler fpnice, while ev'ry (foui'tabroach.
Stays till 'tis fair, jet feems to call a coach.
S-wifi't Mifcel.
2. In a figurative fenfe ; in a ftate to be
diffufed or extended, in a ftate of fuch
beginning as promifes a progrefs.
That man, that fits within a monarch's heart.
And ripens in the funlhinc of his favour.
Would he abufr the count'nance of the king.
Alack ! what mifchiefs might be let abroach.
In (hadow of fuch greatncfs !
, Shakefprari't Henry IV.p.W.
Abroad, adv. [compounded of a and
broad. See Broad.]
1. Without confinement; widely; at large.
Intermit no watch
Againft a wakeful foe, while I abroad.
Thro' all the coafts of dark dcrtruclion feek
Ucliverancp. Mihon'i Paradife Loft, b. ii. /. 463.
Again, the lonely fox roams (it abroad.
On Itcret rapine bent, and midnight fraud;
Now haunts the cli(r, now traver(es the lawn.
And flies the hated neighbourhood of man. Prior.
2. Out of the houfe.
Welcome, Sir,
This cfU'« my coyrt ; here h»v« I few attendants.
A B R
And fubjefts t\one abroad. Shaicfpeare'iTcmpeJl,
Lady — walked a whole hour abroad, with-
out dying after it, Pope's Letters.
3. In another country.
They thought it better to be fomewhat hardly
yoked at home, than for ever abroad, and difcre-
dited. Hooker, Prrf.
Whofoever olTers at verbal tranflatioii, (hall
have the misfortune nf that young traveller, who
loft his own language abroad, md brought home
no other inftead of it. Sir J. Denham-
What learn our youth abroad, but to refine
The homely vices of tlieir native land ?
Dryd. Span. Friar,
He who fojoums in a foreign country, relera
what he krs and hears abroad, to tlie ftate of
things at home. _ Atfrrb. Serm.
4. In all dire<5lio!is, this way and that ;
with wide expanfion.
Full in the midft of this infernal road.
An elm difplays her dulky arms abroad,
Dryd, Virg, Mh, Tl.
5. Without, not within.
Bodies politic, being fubjcdl, as much as na-
tural, to dili'olurion, by divers means, there are
undoubtedly more ftatcs overthrown through dif-
oaiei bred within themlelves, than through vio-
lence from abroad. Hooker, Dedication.
To A'BROGATE.i-.a. [abrogo, La.t.] Ta
take away from a law its force ; to re-
peaL; to annul.
Laws have been made upon fpecial occafions,
which occailons cealing, laws of that kind do ab~
rotate themlelves. Hooker, b. iv. (j 14.
The negative precepts of men may ccafe by
rnany inftrumcnts, by contrary cuftoms, by pub-
lic difrelilh, by long omiflion : but the negative
precepts of CoJ never can ceafe, but when they
are exprefsly abrogated by the fame authority.
Taylor's Rule of living holy,
Abro'gation. n.f. [abrogatio, Lat.]
The ad of abrogating ; the repeal of S
law.
The commi/Tionen from the confederate Ro.
man catholics, demanded the ahregatioinnA repeal
or all thofe laws, which were in force againft the
exercife of the Roman religion. Clarendon, b. viii.
Ta Abro'ok. <v. a. [from To brook, with
^ fuperabundant, a word not in ufe.]
To brook, to bear, to endure.
Sweet Nell, ill can thy noble minJ abrott
The abjcd people gazing on thy face
With envious looks, ftill laughing at thy (hnme.
Shake/peare's Henry VI. p. ii.
ABRU'PT. adj. [abruftus, Lat. broke*
off.]
1. Broken, craggy.
Refiftlcls, roaring, dreadful, down it come*
From the rude mountain, and the mo4ry wild.
Tumbling through rocks abrupt. ThomJ. fVintfr,
2. Divided, without any thing intervening.
Or fprcad his airy flight.
Upborn wi^h indefatigable wings.
Over the vaft abrupt, ere he arrive
Tlic happy ide.
Milton's Paradife Loft, A ii. /. 409s
3. Sudden, without the cuftomary or pro-
per preparatives.
My lady craves
To know the caufe of your aira^r departure.
Shakefpeart.
The abrupt and unkind breaking off the two
(irft parliaments, was wholly imputed to the duke
of Buckingham. Clarendon,
Abrupt, with eagle-fpeed (he cut th« flcy j
Inftant invifible to mortal eye.
Then (irft he recognii'd th' ethereal gueft.
Pope's Odyff. b, !,
4. Unconnefted.
The abrupt ftile, which hath many breache%
and doth not fccm to end but fall.
Btn Jonjon't Difcoverj.
C AfiRv'pTeU.
A B S
Abhu'pteo. aJj. [ahruptui, Lat. a word
little in ufe.] Broken off fuddenly.
The tffcCti of their afl. . ity »r« not prccipi-
toudy atmftal, but grjdunlly proceed to their
ccfTitions. Bntvii'i Vulgar F.rnurt, h. vi. lo.
Abru'ption. »./[a^-«,v/(>,Lat.] Break-
ing ofF, violent and fudden reparation.
Thofe which are inclofcd in rtone, marble, or
fuch other fdid matter, being difficultly feparable
from it, becaufe of its adhefion to all fides of
them, ba»e commonly fome of that matter ftill
adhering to them, or at leaft marks of its «i-
npiiiti from them, in all their fides.
H'rtil'aHird'i Nal. Uift. p. 4-
ABRu'pTLY.a/f. [See Abrupt.] Haf-
tily, without the due forms of prepara-
tion.
The fvreetnefs of virtue's difpofition, jealous
nen over itfclf, fuffered her not to enter ahrufily
into queftions of Mufidorus. Sidney, h.W.
Novn miffing from their joy fo lately found,
So lately found, and fo abruptly gone.
Par. Regained, h, il.
They both of them punftually obfervcd the
time thus agreed upon, and that in whatever com-
pany or bufinefs they were engaged, they left it
atruplh, as foon as the clock warned them to
retire. yiddijoit, Sfeflalor, tt" z^i.
Abru'ptness. »./ [from airuft.]
I. An abrupt manner, halle, fuddennefs,
ujitimely vehemence.
3. The ftate of an abrupt or broken thing ;
roughncfs, cragginefs ; as of a fragment
violently disjoined.
The cryftalliied bodies found in the perpendi-
cular intervals, have always their root, as the jew-
ellers call it, whicl\ is only tlie airufrne/s, at ihc
end of the body whereby it adhered to the ftonc,
or fides of the intervals; which ahruftne/i is
cauled by its being broke off from the faid ftone.
lymdiv. Nat, Hiji.f. 4.
A'bscess. »./. [ahfceffui, Lat.] A mor-
bid cavity in the body ; a tumour filled
with matter ; a term of chirurgery.
If the patient is not relieved, nor dies in eight
days, the inflammation ends in a fimpuration and
an abjeeft in the lungs, and fometimes in fome
other part of the body. Arbuth. of Diet.
Lindanus conjcfturcd it might He fome hidden
ebftefi in the mefenlery, which, breaking fome
few days after, was difcovered to be an apoftem of
the mcfentery. Harvey w Confumptiom.
To Absci'nd. oi. a. To cut off, either
in a natural or figurative fenfe.
ABSCrSSA. [Lat.] Part of the diame-
ter of a conic fedion, intercepted be-
tween the vertex and a femi -ordinate.
Absci'ssion. n.f. \_abfc}JJio, Lat.]
I . The aft of cutting off.
Fabricius ab Aquipendente renders the abfcif-
Jim of them difficult enough, and not without
danger. Hfifeman's Surgery.
X. The (late of being cut off.
By cefTation of oracle;, with Montacutius, wc
may u.idcrfland this inteicilian, not ahfcij^m, or
confummate defolaiion.
Brown's y^Igar Errours, h. vi. e. it.
To ABSCCyND. -v.n. [ah/condo, Lat.] To
hide one's felf ; to retire from the pub-
lic view : generally nfed of perfons in
debt, or criminals iluding the law.
The macrootte or mas alpinut, w'.iich ahfcindt all
winter, liv-:" on its own Ut ; for ia autumn, when
it fhbU itfelf up in iu hole, it is very fa:; hit
in the fprlog-time, when it cumes forth again, very
lean. Ray on the Creation.
Absco'nder. n./. [£.-osa at/conJ.] The
perfon that abfconds.
A'ssENCk. «./ [Sec Absent.]
I
A B S
1. The Rate of being abfettt, oppofed to
prefence.
Sir, 'tis fit
You hxve ftrong party to detend yourfelf
By calmuefs, or by abfence: all's in danger.
Sbakcjpeare^ i Coriolanut*
His friends beheld, and pity'd him in vain.
For what advice can eafe a lover's pain ?
Ahjtnte, the belt enpedient they c^iuld find.
Might bve the fortune, if not cure the mind.
Dryd.Fab.
You have given no dilTertation upon the ab-
feme of lovers, nor laid down any methods how
they diould fupport theinfelves under thofe fcpa-
rations. j-lMiifon, Spe^atcr, t^° ztyi.
2. Want of appearance, in the legal fenfe.
MJence is of a fourfold kinji or fpccies. The
firft is a neccflTary abfence, as in baniihed pcifons ;
this is entirely neceffary. A fccond, neceflary
and voluntary ; as, upon the account of the com-
monwealth, or in the fervice of the church.
The third kind the civilians call a probable ab-
fence; as, that of Undents on the fcore of ftudy.
And the fourth, an ai/<rnf« entirely voluntary ; as,
on the account of trade, merchandife, and the
like. Some add a fifth kind of abfence, which is
committed cum dolo fif culpa, by a man's non-
appearance on a citation ; as, in a contumacious
perfon, who, in hatred to his contumacy, is, by
the law, in fome refpe^s, reputed as a perfon pre-
fcnt. Ayl'tffc's Parergon Juris Canonici.
3. Inattention, heedleffnefs, negleft of the
prefent objeft.
I continued my walk, rcfleSing on the I'ttle
abfences and diftradlions of mankind.
Addifon, SpeSiator, N° 77.
4. It is ufed with the particle/rom.
His abjence from his mjther oft he'll mourn.
And, with his eyes, look wifhes to return.
Dryd. Juv. Sat. ii.
A'BSENT. fl^-. [a/5>/, Lat.]
1. Not prefent: ufed with the particle
y)-om.
In fpring the fields, in autumn hills I love ;
At morn the plains, at noon the fhady grove ;
But Delia always : abfentfrom her fight.
Nor plains at morn, nor groves at noon delight.
Popc'tPafl.
Where there is advantage to be given.
Both more and lefs have given him the revolt ;
And none fervc with him but conftraincJ things,
Whofe hearts are abjent too. Stake/p. Macbeth.
Whether they were abfcnt or prefent, they were
vexed alike. If^fJ. xi. 11.
2. Abfent in mind, inattentive ; regard-
lefs of the prefent objeft.
I diftinguifh a min that is abfcnt, becaufe he
thinks of fomething clfe, from him that is aijeni,
becaufe he thinks of nothing.
Mdifon, SpeHator, N° 77.
To Abse'nt. v. a. To withdraw, to for-
bear to come into prefence.
If thoa didft ever hold me in thy heart,
Mjtnt thee from felicity a while.
And in this harfli world draw thy breath in pain.
To tell my tale. Shakejpenre i Hamlet,
Co.— for thy ftay, not free, abfenis thee more.
Ml/ton I Paradife Loft, b.\x. I. 372.
Tho' I am forc'd thus to a!>frnt myfelf
From all I love, I Qiall contrive fome means.
Some friendly intervals, to vifit thee.
Southern's Spartan Dame,
The ^engo it ftlll called together in cafes of
important; and if, after due fummons, any
member ahfenis himfelf, he is to be fined to the
' value of about a penny Engtith.
Addifon's Remarks on Italy,
Absent a'neous. aJj, Relating to ab-
fence ; abfent. Did.
Ausente'e. It./. He that is abfent from
his llation or employment, or country.
A word ufed commonly with regard to
IriQimen living out of their country.
A B S
Then w»l the firft ftatute made agaioft ahfmttei,
commanding all fuch as had land in Ireland, to
return and refide tlie«upon.
S:r yobn Davies en Irelard*
A f real part of ellaDes io Ireland are ownei by
abfeniat, and fuch as draw over the profits raifed
out of Irrland, refunding notlung.
Child's Di/coarfe en Trade, ,
Absi'nthi ATED. fart, [(rova ai/iiilhitim,
Lat. wormwood.] Imbittercd, impreg-
nated with wormwood. DUi,
To Absi'st. nj. It. [aifi/o, L^t.] To Hand
off, to leave off. />'<*•
To ABSCLVE. i). a. [ab/olvo, Lat.]
1. To clear, to acquit of a crime in a ju-
dicial fenfe.
Your great goodnefs, out of holy pity,
Abjulv'd him with an axe. Shakrjp, Henry VIII.
Our vidlort, bleftin peace, forget their wars.
Enjoy pad dangers, and abfilve the ftars. Tickell.
As he hopes, and gives out, by the influence of
his wealth, to be here abfil-ved ; in condemning
tliis man, you have an opportunity of belying
that general fcandal, of rediiiir.lng the cr-dit loli
by former judgments. Stvift's Mifelltmej.
2. To fet free from an engagement or
promife.
Compell'd by thrratJ to take that bloody oath.
And the aft ill, I am abfoh'd by both.
IVatlers Maid's Tragedy,
This command, which muft neceffarily com-
prehend the perfons of our natural fathers, muft
mean a duty we owe them, diHinft from our obe-
' dience to the magiflrate, and from which the
mjft abfolute power of princes cannot ahfolvt
us. . . Laete.
3. To pronounce fin remitted, in the ec-
clefiaftical fenfe.
But all is calm in this eternal fleep ;
Here grief forgets to groan, and love to weep ;
Ev'n fupcrftition lofes ev'ry fear ;
For God, not man, abfohes our frailties here.
Pope's Eloifa to Aitlari,
4. To finilh, to complete. This ufe is
not common.
What caiife
MoT'd the Creator, in his holy reft
Through all eternity, fo late to build
In chaos ; and the work begun, how foon
Ahjolv'd, Milton's Paradije LoH, b. vii. /. 94.
If that which is fo fuppoled infinitely dillant
from what is now current, is d'ftant from us by
a finite interval, and not infinitely, then that on*
circulation wiiich preceded it, muft necelTarily be
like ours, and confcquently abjolved in the fpace
of twenty-four hours. Hale's Origin of Mankind,
A'bsolute. ezif/, [ahfolutus, Lat.]
1. Complete; applied as well to perfons
as things.
Beciule the things that proceed from him art
perfedl, without any manner of defeft or maim ;
it cannot be but that the words oi his mouth ate
alfolute, and lack nothing which they fliouid have,
for performance of that thing whrreunto they
tend. Hcokcr, i. ii. ^ 6.
What is his ftrength by land ? —
—Great and increafing : but by fea
He is an aiflule miftcr. '
Shakefpeare's Antony and Cleopatra,
2. Unconditional ; as, an abfolute promife:
Although it runs in forms alf'uie, yet it ij
indeed conditional, as depending upon the qualifi-
cation of the perfon to whom it is pronounced.
S'Mth'i Sermmi,
3. Not relative ; as, abfolute fpace.
I fee ftill the diftinQions of fovert'ign and in-
ferior, of abhlute and relative worlhip, will bear
any man out in the worrtiip of any creature with
rcfpcfl to Cod, as well at leaft as ic doth in the
worlhip of images.
HiiHingf. Def, of Dife. m Rom, Idol,
An abfolute mode is that which belongs to ic«
fubjeil, without rcfpeft to any other biings what'.
locvet J
A B S
ftntr; but > relative mode is derived from the
regird that one being has to othert.
fKitts's Lsgici,
In this fenfe we fpeak of the ablative
cafe ahfoiute in grammar.
4. Not limited ; as, ahfohite power.
My crown is ahj(^viey a^ holds of none;
I cannot in a bale fubjeftion live.
Nor fuffcr you to take, tho' I would give.
Dryd, Ud. Emp.
5. Pofitive ; certain ; without any hefita-
tion. In this fenfe it rarely occurs.
Long is it fince I faw him,
But time hath nothing blurr'd thofc lines of favour,
Which then he w.:re; the fnatches in his voice.
And burtl of fpcaking, were as his : I'm ahfoiute,
'Twas very Cl<iten, Shakeflieare^i Cymbefwe.
A'bsolutei.y. aJ'v. [from abfoluteJ]
1. Completely, without reftriftion.
All the conirad^^ions which grow in thofe
mind-:, that neither cbfoiutely climb the roclc oi
Ttrtue, nor freely Gnlc into the fea of vanity.
Sidney,
What merit they can build upon having joined
with a proteliant army, under a king they ac-
knowledge, to defend their own liberties and pro-
perties, !», to me, ahJrJvtety inconceivable ; and,
1 believe, will equally be fo i^r ever.
Sic'iji's Vrijh. Plea.
z. Without relation ; in a ftate uncon-
neded.
Alj'Auuly we cannot difcommend, we cannot
abjr)iutely approve either willingnefs to live, or for-
wardncfs to die, hooker, b, v.
Thefe then being the perpetual caufes of leal ;
the grejtcft good, or th-: grcateft evil; cither o^-
fblu'ely fo in th^mtelvc, or relatively fo to usj it
is theieforeg'vd to bezealoully aSe^ed for the one
agiinft the titlicr. Sfrofs Sermoai.
■No fenfible quality, as light, and colour, and
heat, and found, can be lublilrent in the bodies
themfelves, uhjolutely coadticred, wirhouta relation
to our eyes and ears, and other orgini of fenle.
Thefe qualities are only the efiedls of our fenfa-
tlor, which ariic from the different motions, upon
our nervcv from ol.jefts without, according to
•heir various modiiicationa and pofitions.
Ecntley^i Sermonu
3. Without limits or dependance.
The prnvc long time bad courted fortune's love,
But, once puli(!.i'd, did jbfclurely reign :
Thus, with their Arnazons, the heroes drove.
And coiT^uer'd fiill thofe beauties they would gain.
Drydm'i jliiTtut M:rabilii.
4. Without condition.
And of that nature, for the mnft part, are
things abfilutely anto all men's filvation neccffary,
either to be held or denied, either to be done 01
avoided. Jlccier'i Preface.
5. Peremptorily; pofitively.
Being as I am, why didll not thoa
Command me abj^lutrly not to go,
Going into fuch danger, as thou fiidft }
Farad. X-c^, h. Ix.
A'bsoluteness. n.f.\^\om.abfjMt.'\
1. Completenefs.
2. Freedom from dep£ndance, or limits.
The abjotuttneji and illimitednefs of his com-
irJlTiun was generally much fpoken of.
Clarendon, b. viii.
There is nothing that can raife a man to that
generous abfo'utinejt of condition, as neither to
ctingc, to fawn, or to depend meinly ; but that
wbich gives hiin that happinefs within himfelf, for
which men depend upon othersi Seulb'i Serm.
3. Defpoticifm.
He kept a ftrait hand on his nobility, and chofe
rather to ailvance clergymen and lawyers, which
were more obfcquinus to him, but had lefs inti.-eft
in the people ; which made for his abjotuieneft, but
not for his fafety. Bacon'i Henry VII
They dref? up ^ower with all the fplendor and
temptation abfilutrr-js can add to it. Lo it.
Absolu'tion. «./ [ai/hlulie, Lat.]
A B S
1. Acquittal.
jibjohithn, in the civil law, imports a full ac-
quittal of a perfon by fome final fenience of law ;
alfo, a temporary difchargc of his farther atten
dance upon a mefne procefs, though a failure or
defeft in pleading j as it does likewifc in the canon
law, where, and among divines, it likcwife figni-
fies a relaxation of him from the obligation of
fome fentence pronounced either in a court of l.iw,
or eife \nforo paemteniiol'i. Thus there is, in this
kind of law, one kind of ahjohuton, termed ju-
dicial, and another, ftyled a declaratory or extra-
judicial abjotution^
Ayliffe'i Parergon Jur'n Canor.ici.
2. The remiflion of fins, or penance, de-
clared by ecclefiaftical authority.
The abjalutkji pronounced by a prieit, whether
papiftor proicftant, is nota certain infallible ground
to give the perfnn, fo abfolved, confidence towards
God. Soutb't Sermons.
A'bsolutory. eie/J. [ab/olutorius , Lat.],
That which abfolves.
Though an abfoiiit'.ry fentence (hould be pro-
nounced in favour of the perlons, upon the ac-
count of nearnefs of blood ; yet, if adultery fliall
afterwards be truly proved, he may be ajain pro-
ceeded againll as an adulterer. A\!\^e'i Ptrergon.
^ nQfi f,i>T . adj . [SeeAssoNOus.] Con-
trary to reafon, wide from the purpofe.
A'bsbnous. adj. [ai/oims, Lzt. ill-found-
ing.] Abfurd, contrary to reaibn. It
is not much in ufe, and it may be
doubted whether it fhould be followed
by to or_/rj«.
To fuppofe an uniter of a middle conltitution,
that Ihculd partake of fome of the qualities ot
both, is unwarranted by any of our faculties j yea,
moft abjorous to our reafon.
Clanx'iile't Scepjis Siientijtea, c- 4.
To Abso'rb. f . a. \ahforbeo, Lat. preter.
abjorbed; part. pret. abjorbed, or ab-
forpt.]
I . To fwallow up.
Mofes imputed the deluge to the difiuption of
the abyfs ; and St. Peter to the particular conltitu-
tion of that earth, which made it obnoxious to be
abftrpt in water. Burn. Tbeory.
Some tokens fliew
Of fearlefs friendftirp, and their finking mates
Sullain ; vain love, tho" laudable, al.j'.rft
By a fierce eddy, they together found
The vaft profundity. Pbillift.
z. To fuck up. See Absorbfnt.
The evils that come of rxercife are that it doth
abforb and attenuate the moillurc of the body.
Bacon.
Suppofing theforementinnedconfumption fliould
prove fo durable, as to abforb and extenuate the
faid fanguine parts to an extreme degree, it ii
evident, that the fundamental parts mu^ necclfa-
riiy come into danger. Hanvey on Confum/nhni.
While we perfpire, we abforb the outward air.
Arbuthnot.
Abso'rbent. »./. \abforbem, Lat.]
A medicine that, by the foftnefs or
porofity of its parts, either cafes the
afperities of pungent humours, or dries
away fupcrfluous moillure in the body.
There is a third dafs of fubftances, commonly
called abforbentt ; as, the various kinds ai (hell-,
coral, chalk, crabi eyes, feft. which likewife laUc
an etftrvefccnce with aclds,and are therefore called
alkalis, though not fo properly, for they are not
f-ilts. Arbuthnot on Altmenti.
Abso'rpt. /«»-/. [{rom ab/orb.] Swallow-
ed up ; ufed as well, in a figurative
fenfe, of perfons, as, in the primitive,
of things.
W^iiat can you cxpe£l from a man, who has not
talked thefe five days? wb» is withdrawiog his
A B 9
thoughts, as far as he can, from all thi preftnt
wjild, its cuftoms and its manners, to be fully
poffiilVed and abforft in the part. Pope's Letters,
Abso'rption. )',yi [from fl^''"'^-] "^^^
&&. of fwallowing up.
It. was belowtlie dignity of thofe facred penmen,
or the Spirit of God that direQed them, to fliew
us the caufes of this difruption, or of this abfrp-
tion J this is left to the enquiries of men.
Burnet's Theory of the Earth.
To ABSTA'IN. t;. r. [abjiineo, Lat.] To
forbear, to deny one's felf any gratifi-
cation ; with the particle_/ro/».
If thou judge it hard and difficult,
Converfing, looking, loving, to abflain
Friminvc's due rites, nuptial embraces fweet;
And, with defires, to languiih without hope.
Miilon's Paradife Loft, b. I. /. 993.
To be perpetually lonjing, and impatiently dc-
firous of any thing, fo that a man cannot abftam
from it, is to lofe a man's liberty, and to become
a fervant of meat and drink, or fmoke.
'Taylor s Rule of Iwing bolyt
Even then the doubtful b;ilows fcarce abfiain
From the tofs'd vcflel on the troubled main.
. Drydens Vtrgil.
ABSTE'MIOUS. adj. {abjiemius, Lat.]
Temperate, fober, abftinent, refrain-
ing from excels or pleafur^s. It is ufed
of perfons ; as, an abjitmious hermit:
and of thiivgs ; as, an abjiemhus diet.
It is fpoken likewife of things that caufc
temperance.
The inllances of longevity are chiefly amongft
the abfiemious. Abftinencc in extremity will prove
a mortal dileafe; but the experiments of it ate
very rare. Arbuthnot on Aliments.
Clytorean ftreams the love of wine expel,
(Such is the virtue of th' abfierr.hu^ wk-W)
Whether the colder nymph that rules the flood,
Extinguiflies, and balks the drunken god :
Or that Mclampus (fo have fome alfur'd)
When the maJ Pi.-etides with charms he cur'd,
And pow'rful lierba, both charms and fimples call
Into the fober fpring, where itill their virtues laft.
Drydens Fables.
Abste'miously. adv. [from abjlemious.^
Temperately, foberly, without indul-
gence.
Abste'miousness. n. f. [See Abste-
mious.] The quality of being ablle-
mioi^.^
Abste'ntion. n.f. [fromab/fitteo, Lat.]
The ad of holding off, or reftraining ;
rellraint. Z>;V?,
To ABSTE'RGE. 'V. a. [abjlergo, Lat.]
To cleanfe by wiping ; to wipe.
Abste'rcient. adj. Cleanfing; having
a cleanfing quality.
To Abste'rse. [See Absterg-e.] To
cleanfe, to purify ; a word very little
in ufe, and lefs analogical than abjierge.
Nor will \vc affirm, that iron receivcth, in ths
ftomach of the oftrich, no alteration j but we fuf-
peit tills effeil rather from corrofion than digeA
tion J not any tendence to chilification by the na-
tural heat, but rather fome attrition from an acid
and" vitriolous humidity in the ftomach, which
may abflerfe and ihavc the fcorious parts thereof.
Br'jtvns Vulgar Errours, b. iii.
Abste'rsion. 11. j'. [abjlerjio, Lat.] The
aft of cleanfing. See Absterge.
Ahjlerfian is plainly a fcouring off, or incifion of
the more vifcous humours, and making the hu-
mours more fluid, and cutting between them and
the part; as is found in nitrous water, whicb'
fcoureth linen cloth fpcedily from the foulnefs.
Baccn's Natural Hifiory, N" 42,
Abstb'rsive. a<^'. [_(tQm abjltr^«.'\ That
C 2 hu
A B S
has the quality of abllerging or cleanf-
ing.
It is good, aftfr purging, to uTe apozrmes ana
brothi, not (o much opening as thofe ufed before
purging i but atfierfivt and mundiTving clyfttrs
alfo are good to conclude wkh, Co draw awajr the
reliquct of the humuuri>
Bacon's Natural Hifttry.
A tablet fttwd of that ahftirfi-ve tree.
Where /Ethiopi' fwarthy bird did build to ned.
Sir Jihn Dinbam,
There, many a flow'r ahjitrftyt grew.
Thy fav'rite flow'rs of yellow hue. S%vifi't MifccU
A'bstinence. «./ [abfiinentia, Lat.]
1. Forbearance of any thing; with the
particle _/r6«i.
Becaufe the ahjlinttice frcm a prefcnt pleafurc,
that offers itfelf, is a pain, nay, otti-ntimcs a ver)
great one : it is no wonder that that operates after
the fame manner pain does, and lefl'cns, in our
thoughts, what is future ; and fo forces us, as it
were, blindfold into its embraces. Locke.
2. Fading, or forbearance of nec«nary
food. It is generally diftinguifhed from
temperance, as the greater degree from
the lefj ; fometimes as fingle perform-
ances from habits ; as, a day of aifii-
nrnct, and a Life of temperance.
Say, can you fall ? your llomadu are too young :
And abfi'mcnce ingenders maladifel.
Shakefpeare's Lovis Labour Lop.
And the faces of tiiem, which have ufed ah-
Jlirnce, Ihall &ine above the ftars j whereas our
Ijces ihall be blacker than darkncfs.
1 EfJras, v'li. 55.
Religious men, who hither mull be fent
A^ awful guides of heavenly government ;
To teach you penance, falls, and abJi'mtMtf
la punifli bodies for the foul's ollence.
Drydms Indian Emf.
A'bstinency. n./. The fame with Ab-
ITIN'ENCE.
Were our rewards for the ahfiinencin, or riots,
of this prefent life, under the prejudices of Ihort
or fioite, the promifcs and threats of Chrifl would
lofe much of their virtue and energy.
Hammond^ I Fundam.
A'bstinenT. at//. \_abJHnens, Lat.] That
ufes abftinence, in oppofition to covet-
ous, rapacious, or luxurious. It is ufed
chiefly of perfons.
Absto'rt E D . adj. \abJ{ortus,'L^X..'\ Forced
• away, wrung from another by vio-
lence. DiS.
Te ABSTRA'CT. v. a. [abjlraho, Lat.]
1. To take one thing from another.
Could we abfiraB from thcfc pernicious efftfts,
and fuppofc this were innocent, it would be too
light to be matter of praile. Dtcay of Ficty.
2. To feparate by didillation.
Having dephlegmed fpirit of fait, and gently ab-
frarlcd the whole fpirit, there remaincth in the
retort a ftyptical fubftance. Soyii.
3. To feparate ideas.
Thofe who cannot dillinguifli, compaie, and
ahjirafi, would hardly be able to undcrlland and
make ufe of language, or judge or reafon to any
tolerab't degree. Locke.
4. To reduce to an epitome.
If wc Mfould fix in the memory the difcourfcs
we hear, or what we defign to fpcak, let us ab-
firad them into brief comprnds, and review them
often. H-'aitt'tlmp.ofibcMind.
A'bstract. adj. [abjlraaus. Lit. See
the verb To Abstract.] _
I. Separated from fomething elfe ; gene-
rally ufed with relation to mental per
ceptions ; as, abJiraH mathematics, ab-
firaH terms, in oppofition to concrete.
A B S
Mathismatics, in its latitude, li ufualty divided
Into pure and mixed. And though the pure do
handle only abfiraB quantity in general, as geo-
metry, arithmetic j yet that which is mixed, doth
confider the quantity of fome particular determi-
nate fubjefl. So allionomy handles the qumtity
of heavenly motions, mulic of founds, and me-
chanics of weights and puArrs.
tVilkxnii Malttmatical Magick.
jlbjirali terms fignify the mode or quality of
a being, without any regard to the fubjc^l in
which it is ; as, whitcnei's, roundnefs, length,
breadth, wifdom, mortality, life, death.
fyam'iLogick.
z. With the particle//»»f.
Another fruit from the confidering things in
themfelves, ahjlraft from our opinions, and other
men's notions and difcourfcs on them, will be,
that each man will purfue his thoughts in that
method, which will be mod agreeable to the na-
ture of the thing, and to his apprehcnlion of what
it fuggells to him. Locke.
A'bsthact. n./ [from the verb.]
I. A fmaller quantity, containing the vir-
tue or power of a greater.
You (hall there find a man, who is the abftraH
of all faults all men follow.
Shakefpearc' t Antony and Cleopatra.
If you are falfe, thefe epithets are fmall ;
You're then the things, and abfiraB of them all.
Drydcn'i Aur.
2. An epitome made by taking out the
principal parts.
When Miiemon came to the end of a chapter,
he recollefled the fentiments he had remarked j
fo that he could give a tolerable analyfis and ab-
firaB of every tteatife he had read, juft after he
had finiflied it. IVattCs Imp. of the Mind.
3. The ftate of being abftrafted, or dif-
joined.
The hearts of great princes, if they be confi-
dcred, as it were in abfiraB, without the neccf-
fity of dates, and circun3(lanc« of time, can
take no full and proportional pleafure in the ex-
ercife of any narrow bounty. H^otton.
.^BSTR a'xted. part. adj. [itomabjiracl.^
1. Separated; disjoined.
That fpace the evil one abfiroBcd ftood
From his own evil, and for the time remain'd
Stupidly good. Milton,
2. Refined, purified.
AbfiraBcd fpiritva) love, they like
Their fouls exhal'd. Donne.
3. Abftrufe ; difficult.
4. Abfent of mind, inattentive to prefent
objefts ; as, an ahjiraaed fcholar.
Abstra'ctedly. ad'v. With abftrac-
tion, fimply, feparately from all con-
tingent circumftances.
Or whether more ohfiraBedly we look.
Or on the writers, or the written book :
Whence, but from heav'n, could men unlkill'd in
arts.
In fevcral ages born, in fi!veral parts.
Weave fuch agreeing truths ? or how, or why
Should all confpire to cheat us with a lie ?
Unaik'd their paios, ungrateful their advice.
Starving tiwir gain, and martyrdom their price.
DtytUns Religio Laid.
Abstr a'ction. »._/! [abfiraSio, Lat.]
1 . The aft of abftrafting.
The word alfiraBitn lignifies a withdrawing
fome part of an idea from other parts of it ; by
which means fuch abftraOed ideas are formed,
as neither reprefent any thing corporeal or fpi-
ritual ; that is, any thing peculiar or proper to
mind or body. fKo.-rj'j Logick.
z. The ftate of being abftrafted.
5. Abfence of mind ; inattention.
+1 Difregard of worldly objefts.
4 hecmit wiiltet to be praifed for his ahfiraBion.
Vopt't Lctttn.
A B S
AB$TRA'cT«VE.a<^'.[fromfl/5/frfl(7.]Har-
ing the power or quality of abftrafting.
Abstra'ctly. adv. [from ab/lraS.] In
an abllraft manner, abfolutely, without
reference to any thing elfe.
MitKr abfiraBly and abfolutely confidered, can-
not have born aa infinite durition now pail and
expired. Bentley's Sermon*
Abstr a'ctness. n. /. [from ab/fraff.^
Subtilty ; feparation from all matter or
common notion.
I have taken fome pains to make plain and fa-
miliar to your thoughts, truths, which edablilhcd
prejudice, or the abfiraBnefi of the ideas themfelves,
mijjht render difficult. Licke*
Abstri'cted. part. adj. [abftri3ut, Lat.]
Unbound. Dia^
To Abstri'nce. v. a. Tounbind. Di3.
To ABSTRU'DE. -v. a. [abjirudo, Lat.]
To thruft off, or pull away. Z);<3.
Abstru'se. adj. \abjirufus, Lat. thruit
out of fight.]
1. Hidden.
Th' eternal eye, whofe fight difcerns
Abfirufefi thoughts, from forth his holy mount,
And from within the golden lamps that burn
Nightly before him, faw, without their light.
Rebellion riling.
Milton'i ParadifeLtfi, h.y, I. 71a.
2. Difficult ; remote from conception or
apprehenfion. It is oppofed to obvious
and eajy.
S'jfpakeour Sire, and by his countenance feem'd
Ent'ring on lludious thoughts abfiruje.
Paradtfe Lofi, b. viii.
The motions and figures within the mouth are
abfirufc, and not cafy to be didinguiflied, efpecially
thofe of the tongue, which is moved through the
help of many mufcles, fo eafily, and habitually,
and varioully, that we arc fcarce able to give a
judgment of motions and figures thereby framed.
Holder.
No man could give a rule of the greatell beau-
ties, and the knowledge of them w.^s fa abfiruje,
that there was no manner of fpeaking which could
exprefs them. ' Dryden'i Dufnfnoy.
Abstru'sely. adv. In an abllrufe man-
ner ; obfcurely, not plainly, or obvi-
oufly.
Abstru'se NESS. n.f. [from abfiru/e.'] Th«
quality of being abftrufe ; difficulty,
obfcurity.
It is not oftentimes fo much what the fcripture
fays, as what fome men perfuade others it fays,
that makes it feem obfcutv, and that as to fome
other palTages that are fo indeed, ftnce it is the
aifirufenejs of what is taught in them, that makes
them almoft inevitably fo ; it is little lefs faucy,
upon fuch a fcorc, to find fault with <hc dyle of
the fcripture, than to do fo with the author for
making us but men. Boyle on the Scripture*
.Abstru'sity. >t./. [from abjlru/e.']
1. Abftrufenefs.
2. That which is abftrufe. A word feldom
ufed.
Authors are alfo fufpicious, nor greedily to be
fwallowed, who pretend to write of fecrets, to de-
liver antipathies, fympathies, and the occult ab..
finijitici of things. Brvivn'' i Vulgar Errotin.
7e Ab su' M E . I", a. [abfumo, Lat. J To bring
to an end by a gradual walte ; to eat up.
An uncommon word.
That which had been burning an infinite time
could never be burnt, no not (a much as any part
of it ; for if it had burned part after part, the
whole mull needs be ab/umed in a portion of time.
Hale's Origin of Mankind.
ABSU'RD. adj. [ab/urdus, Lat.]
I. Unreafonable ; without judgment, at
, ufed of men.
Scetuing
ABU
_ Seeming wife men may make fliift to get apj.
■»ion i but let no man chuie them for employment;
for certainly ^ou had better take forbuCnefi a man
fomewhat ehjfurj, than over formal. Bacon,
A man, who cannot write with wit on a proper
fubjeft, is dull and ftupid ; but one, who {hews it
in an improper place, is as irnpeitinent and ai-
furd. Mdijin, Spiaater, N° zgu
2. Inconfiftent, contrary to reafon, ufed of
fentiments or pradices.
The thing itlelf appeared defirable to him, and
accordingly he could not but like and defire it •
but then, it was after a very irrational ai/urd way,
and contrary to all the methods and principles of
a rational agent; which ne%er wills a thing really
and properly, but it applies to the means, by which
it is to be acquired. Saatb's Sermtni.
But grant that thofe can conquer, thefc can cheat,
'Tis phrafe ahjuri to call a villain great :
Who wickedly is wife, or madly brave.
Is but the more a fool, the more a knave.
^ Pofe't Effay m Man.
Absu RDiTT. n./. [from ah/urd].
1, The quality of being abfurd ; want of
judgment, applied to men; want of
propriety, applied to things.
How clear foever this idea of the infinity of
number be, there is nothing more evident than
the ahfurdliy of the afluaj idea of an infinite
number. io^^,
2. That which is abfurd; as, his travels
were full of abfurditits. In which fenfe
it has a plural.
That fatisfadtion we receive from the opinion of
fome pre-eminence in ourfelves, when we fee the
atfurdiiiis of another, or when we reflea on any
part <ii/Br</m« of our own. Addihtj.
Absu'rdly. adv. [from ai/urd."] After
an abfurd manner ; improperly ; unrea-
fonably.
But man we find the only creature,
Who, led by folly, combats nature ;
Who, when (he loudly cries. Forbear,
With obftinacy fires there ;
And where his genius leaft inclines,
Ji/urdly bends his whole defigns. Sicift't Afifttl.
We may proceed yet further with the atheill,
and convince him, that not only his principle is
abfurd, but his confequences alfo as abfurdly de-
duced from it. B'niity't Scrmcni.
Absu'udwess. n.f. [hom ah/urd.] The
quality of being abfurd ; injudiciouf-
nefs ; impropriety. Sec Absurditv ;
which is more frequently ufed.
Abu'ndance. n.f. [aiondance, Fr.]
1. Plenty ; a fenfe chiefly poetical.
At the whifper of thy word,
Crown'd abundance fpreads my board. Crajhaw.
The doubled charge his fubjefts' love fupplies.
Who, in that bounty, to themfelves are kind j
So glad Egyptians fee their Nilus rife.
And, in hii plenty, their abundance find.
Drjd. Aniu Mir.
i. Great numbers.
The river Inn is fliut up between mountains,
covered with woods of fir-trees. Abundance of
peafants are employed in hewing down the largcft
of thefe tree*, that, after they arc barked and cut
into (hapr, are tumbled down. Add'ijun on Italy.
J. A great quantity.
Their chief entcrprize was the recovery of the
Holy Land ; in which worthy, but extremely dif-
ficult, ailion, it IS lamentable to remember what
abundance of noble blood hath been flied, with very
fmall benefit unto the.Chri(lian ftate.
Sir IValiir Raleigb'i £j/ayi.
4. Exuberance, more than enough.
For w.ll I wot, moi» mighty fovereign.
That all thii fan.ous antique hiftory.
Of fome, th' abundance ri an idle brain.
Will judged be, and painted forgery. Sfenfer.
Aiv'uDKHT.adJ. {abundant JLiX.1
ABU
I. Plentiful.
Good, the more
Communicated, more abundant grows ;
The author not impair'd, but honour'd more.
Paradiji Laji, b. v.
2. Exuberant.
If the veffels are in a ftate of too great rigidity,
fu as not to yield, a ftrong projcaile motion occa-
fions their rupture, and haemorrhages ; efpecially
in the lungs, where the blood is abundant.
Arbutbnitt an Aliments.
3. Fully ftored. It is followed fometimes
by in, commonly by tvitJb.
The world began but fome ages before thefe were
found out, and was abundant -with all things at
firft ; and men not ver)- numerous ; and therefore
were not put fo much to the ufe of their wits, to
find out wain for living commodioufly. Burmt.
4. It is applied generally to things, fome-
times to perfons.
The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious,
long-fuffering and abundant in goodnefs and truth.
Exod. xxxiv. 6.
Abu'ndaktly. ay-i;. [iiom abundant.]
1 . In plenty.
Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving
creature that hath life. Genrfs, i. 20.
God on thee
Abundantly his gifts hath alfo pour'd ;
Inward and outward both, his image fair.
Paradife Lafl, b.vm.
2. Amply, liberally, more than fufficiently.
Ye faw the French tongue abundantly purified.
XI • sprat.
Heroic poetry has ever been efteemed thegreatelt
work of human nature. In that rank has Ariftotle
placed it; and Longinus is fo full of the like ex-
prcfTions, that he abundantly confirms the other's
teftimony. . Drydcns State 0/ Innocence, Pref.
What the example of our equals wants of au-
thority, is abundantly fupplied in the imaginations
of friendfliip, and the repeated influences of a
conftant converfation. Rogers', Serm.
To ABU'SE, 'V. a. [abutor, abufui, Lat.]
In abu/e, the verb, / has the found of
X ; in 'the noun, the common found.
1 . To make an ill ufe of.
They that ufe this world, as not abufng it; for
the fafliion of this world paffeth away.
_, , . I Cor, vii. 31,
He has fixed and determined the time for our
repentance, beyond which he will no longer await
the perverfenefs of men, no longer fufter his com-
panion to be abujed. Rogers', Sermons.
2. To violate ; to defile.
Arachnc figured how Jove did abuji
Europa like a bull, and on his back
Her through the fea did bear. Spenjer.
3. To deceive ; to impofe upon.
He perhaps.
Out of my weaknefs and my melancholy.
As he is very potent with fuch fpirits,
Abujes me to damn me. Shakefpeare's Hamlet.
The world hath been much abufed by the opinion
of making gold : the work itfelf I judge to be
poflible ; but the means hitherto propounded, are,
in the pradlicc, full of error.
Bacon's Natural Hiftory, N" ji6.
It imports the mifreprefentation of the qualities
of things and aflions, to the common apprehen-
fions of men, abufing their minds with falfe no-
tions ; and fo, by this artifice, making evil pafi
for good, and good for evil, in all the^reat concerns
ii"'K- -l. „ L, South- s Sermons.
Nor be with all thefe tempting words abus'd;
Thefe tempting words were all to Sappho us'd.
4. To treat with rudenefs ; to reproach.
I am no ftrumpel, but of life as honed
As you that thus abuje me. Shakefp. Othello.
But he mocked them, and lauglied at them,
and <ii»/<i them Ihamcfully, and fpake proudly.
] Mac, vii. 34.
ABU
Some praife at morning what they blame atnighl^
But always think the laft opinion right.
A mufe by thefe is like a mirtrefs us'd.
This hour /he's idolii'd, the next abus'd.
Pope's EJfmy on Criticifm^
The next criticifm feems to be introduced for
no other reafon, but to mention Mr. BickerftafF,
whom the author every where endeavours to imi-
tate and abufe. Addjfoit.
Abu'se. «.'/. [from the verbal//?.]
1 . The ill ufe of any thing.
The calling away things proHtable for the fufte-
nance of man's life, is an unthankful abufe of the
fruits of God's good providence towards mankind.
Hooker, b. v. § ^*
Little knows
Any, but God alone, to value right
"The good before him, but perverts belt things
To worft abufe, or to their meaneft ufe. ^
Paradife Loft, b. iy*
2. A corirupt pradtice, bad cuftom.
The natune of things is fuch, that, if abufes be
not remedied, they will certainly encreafe.
Stuiftfor Advancement of Relig'um^
3. Seducement.
Was it not enough forhim-to have deceived me»^
and, through the deceit abufed me, and, after the
abufe, forfaken me, but that he muft now, of all
the company, and before all the company, lay
want of beauty to my charge. Sidney, b. ii.
4. Unjuft cenfure, rude reproach, com-
tumely.
I dark in light, expos'd
To daily fraud,, contempt, abufe, and wrong.
Samfon Agoniflciw
Abu'se R, »./. [from the verb «^«/f,];
1. He that makes an ill ufe.
2. He that deceives.
Next thou, the abufer of thy prince's ear.
Denham't Sofhlf*-
3. He that reproaches with rudenefs.
4. -A. ravifher, a violater.
Abu'sive, ad/', [hoai abu/e.]
1 . Praftifmg abufe.
The tongue mov'd gently firft^nd fpeech was low^
Till wrangling fcicnce taught it noife and (how.
And wicked wit arofe, thy moft ahufive foe.
Pope's Mifullaniu^
Dame Nature, as the learned (liow.
Provides each animal its- foe ;
Hounds hunt the hare, the wily, fox
Devours your geefe, the wolf your flbcks.
Thus envy pleads a natural claim.
To prrfecute the mufe's fame.
On poets in all times abuji've.
From Homer down to Popeindufive. Stvi/t'sMifccL
2. Containing abufe; a«, an abn^-ve lam- ■
poon.
Next, Comedy appcar'd with great applaufe,
Till her licentious and abufive tongue
Waken'd the magilhates coercive power. Rofcom.
3. Deceitful; a fenfe little ufed, yet not
improper.
It is verified by a number of examples, that
whatfoever is gained by an abujive treaty, ought
to be rcfVired in 'integrum.
Bacon's Conjidc'ralicns on H'ar with Spain,
Abu'sivsly. ad-v. [from abuje.]
1. Improperly, by a wrong ufe.
The oil, ahuf-vely called ipirit, of rofes, fwlms at
the top of the water, in the firm of a white butter;
wh'ch 1 remember not to haveobfcrved in any other
oil drawn in any limbeck. Boyle's Sceptical Ciym'i/k.
2. Reproachfully.
Abo'siveness. «./. [from abu/e.] Th*
quality of being abufive ; fbulnefs of
language.
Pick out of mirth, like ftonescatof thy ground,.
Profancncfs, filthinefs, abufivenefs.
Thefe are the fcum,with which coarfe wi ts abound t
The fine may fpare thefe well, yet not go Icfs.
HirUrt.
A C A
f» ABUT. V. n. obfelete.[fl^fl»//V,to touch
at the end, Fr.] To end at, to border
upon ; to meet, or approach to, with the
particle upoa.
Two mighty monarcliies,
Whofe high uprcared and abutting fronts
The narrow perilous occun parts afunder*
Shakcjptare I lltnry V.
The Lo(>«i are two fcveral corporations, diOin-
goilhed by the addition or eaft and weft, aiuiiing
u'fM a navigable creek, and joined by a fair bridge
ot" many arches. Cttrnv.
Abu'tment.w./ [fr«ma^K/.] That which
abuts, or borders upon another.
Abu'tta!.. n.f. [from abut.'\. The but-
ting or boundaries of any land. A wri-
ting declaring on what lands, highways,
or other places, it does abut. Difl.
Aby'sm. n.f. [a^jy»»<, old Fr. now writ-
ten contrafledly abiine.'\ A gulf; the
fame with ahy/s.
My good ftars, that were my former guides.
Have empty left their orbs, and fliot their fires
Into the ahyfm of he!l.
Stakcfpeare^s Antcry and Cleopatra*
Abv'ss. n.f. \abyffus, Lat. aS>vaa^, bot
tomtefs, Gr.]
X. A depth without bottom.
Who /hall tempt with wandVing feet
The dark, unbottom'd,, inBnite aliyjs.
And, through the palpable obfcure, find out
This uncouth way.
M./tcn't ParaJ'iJe LoJI, b. ii. /. 405.
Thy throne is darknefs in th' abyfi of light,
A blaze of glory that forbids the fight;
O teach me to biiic\c tliee thus conceai'd,
And fearch no farther than thyfclf reveal'd.
DryJcn.
Tore was not more pleased
With infant nature, when his fpacious hand
Had rounded this huge ball of earth and feas
To give it the firft pulh, and fee it roll
Along the vaft abyj'i. Mdijcn, Guard. No no.
s. A great depth, a gulf; hyperbolical! y.
The yawning earth difclos*d th* tf/»>yi of hell.
Dryiieni l^ir^ Gtorg, i.
3. In a figurative fenfe, that in which any
thing is loft.
for fepulchres themfelves muft crumbling fall
In Umc^saby/tj the common grave of all. ^
Drydens jfwvenalj Sal, x.
If, difcovering how far we have clear and diftindt
ideas, we confine our thoughts within the contem-
plation of thofe things that are within the reach of
our underllandings, and lavmch not out into that
thyji of darknefs, out of a prcfumption that no-
thi'ig is beyond our comprehenfion. Locke.
4. The body of waters fuppofed at the
centre of the earth.
We are here to confider what is generally under-
ftood by the great atyft, in the common explication
«f the deluge; and 'tis commonly interpreted either
to be the fea, or fubterraneous waters hid in the
bowels of the earth. Burmt't thimy.
5. In the language of divines, hell.
From that infatiable ahyjs.
Where flames devour, and ferpcnts hifa,
Promote me to thy feat of blifs. Rijcimmtn.
Ac, Ak, or Ake.
Being initials in the names of places, as j^San,
fignify an oak, from the Saxon ac, an uak.
Oibji/n't Camden,
ACACJA.n,;, [Lat.]
I. A drug brought from Egypt, which,
being fuppofed the infpiflated juice of a
tree, is imitated by the juice of floes,
boiled to the fame confiftence.
Diiiionaire de Comm, Sazrary. Trevoux.
X. A tree commonly fo called here, though
different from that which produces toe
A C C
trne afada ; and therefore termed f>/eii-
Jocacia, or Virginian acacia. Miller.
Acade'mi Ai.. a<^. \ixom academy. '\ Re-
lating to an academy, belonging to an
academy.
AcADfc'MiAN. n.f. [from acad(my.'\ A
fcholar of an academy or univerfity ; a
member of an univerfity. ff'ood, in his
Athetitr Oxonienfes, mentions a great
fcaft made for the academians.
Acade'mical, cdj. [academicus, Lat.]
Belonging to an univerfity.
He drew him firft into the fatal circle, from a
kind of refolved privatcnefs; where, after the aca-
demical life, he had taken fuch a taftc of the rural,
as 1 have heard him fay, that he could well have
bent his mind to a retired courfe. fyott^n.
Academi'cian. «. /. [academician, Fr.]
The member of an academy. It is ge-
nerally ufed in fpeaking of the profeflbrs
in the academies of France.
Acade'mick. «./. [from academy.} A ftu-
dent of an univerfity.
A young academic fiiall dwell upon a journal that
treats of trade, and be lavilh in the piaife of the
author ; while perfons fkilled in thofe fubjefts,
hear the tattle with contempt.
IValit'i Imprcmemcnt of ike Mind.
Acade'mick. a^. [academicus, hzx-l Re-
lating to an univerfity.
While through poetic Icenes the genius roves.
Or wanders wild in academic groves.
Dunciad,h.\v. !. 481
Aca'demist. n.f. [from academy. "} The
member of an academy. This is not
often uied.
It is obferved by the Parifian acadcmtfti, that
fome amphibious quadrupeds, particularly the fea-
calf or feal, hath his epiglottis extraordinarily large.
Ray on the Creation.
A'CADEMY. n. f. [anciently, and pro-
perly, with the accent on the firft fyl-
lable, now frequently on the fecond.
Acadimia, Lat. from Academus of Athens,
whofe houie was turned into a fchool,
from whom the Groves of Academe in
Milton.]
I . An alTembly or fociety of men, uniting
for the promotion of fome art.
Our cou:'C fhall be a little academy.
Still and contemplative in living arts.
Stakefpcare^i Lct/r'j Labour Loft.
z. The place where (ciences are taught.
Amongft the acadimiei, which were compofed by
the rare genius of thofe great men, thcfe four are
reckoned as the principal ; namely, the Athenian
fchool, that of Sicyon, that of Rhodes, and that
of Corinth. Dryden'i Dufrefiuy.
3. An univerfity.
4. A place of education, in contradiftinc-
tion to the univerfities or public fchools.
The thing, and therefore the name, is
modern.
ACANTHUS, n.f [Lat.] The name of
,the herb bears-breech, remarkable for
being the model of the foliage on the
Corinthian chapiter.
On cither Mc
Acanliu!, and each od'rous bulhy fhrub,
Fenc'd up the verdant wall.
Mill. Parad. Loftf b. iv. /. 696.
AcaTALe'ctIC.»._/.' [axaxaXrifli*®-, Gr."]
A verfe whidi has the complete number
of fyllables, without defedl or fuperfluity.
TiACCE'DE. 'V. n. [accede, 'Lzx.'l To be
added to, to come to ; generally ufed
A C C
in political accounts ; as, another power
\i3L% acceded to the treaty; that is, hst
become a party.
To ACCE'LERATE, 'v.a. [accelere, Lat.]
1. To make quick, to liaften, to quicken
motion ; to give a continual impulfe to
motion, fo as perpetually to increafe.
Take new beer, and put in fome quantity of
ftale beer into it ; and fee whether it will not acce-
Itrjte the clarification, by opening the body of the
beer, whereby the grolfer parts may fall down into
Ices. Bacon's Natural Hifttry, N° 307.
By a fkilful application of thofe notices, may be
gained the accelerating and bettering of fruits, and
the emptying of mines, at much more eafy ratet
than by the common methods. Glanvil/e^Scepftt,
If the rays endeavour to recede from the denleft
part of the vibration, they may be alternately acce-
lerated and retarded by the vibrations overtaking
them. Nenjjtons Of tics.
Spices quicken the pulfe, and accelerate the mo-
tion of the blood, and difiipate the fluids ; from
whence teannefs, pains in the ftomach, loathing;,
and fevers. Arbutknot on Aliments*
Lo I from the dread immenfity of fpace
Returning, with accelerated courfe.
The rufhing comet to the fun defcends.
tbomf. Sum. I, 1 690.
2. It is generally applied to matter, and
ufed chiefly in philofophical language ;
but it is fometimes ufed on other occafions.
In which council the king himfelf, whofe con-
tinual vigilarcy did fuck in fometimes caufelefs
fufpicions, which few eife knew, inclined to the
- accelerating a battle. Bacon's Henry Vll.
Perhaps it may point out to a ftudenc now and
then, what may employ the moft vifcful labours of
his thoughts, and accelerate his diligence in the moft
momentous enquiries. iVatts,
AccEl. ER a'tion. n.f [acceleralio, Lat.]
1. The aft of quickening motion.
The law o{ the acceleration of falling bodies, dif-
covered firil by Galileo, is, that the velocities ac-
quired by falling, being as the time in which the
body falls, the fpaces through which it palTes will
be as the fquares of the velocities, and the velocity
and time taken together, as in a quadruplicate rati>)
of the fpaces.
2. The fiate of the body accelerated, or
quickened in its motion.
The dejirees o( acceleraiisn oi motion, the gravi-.
tatien of the air, the exiftence or non-exiltence of
empty fpaces, either coacervate or interfperfed, and
many the like, have taken up the thoughts and
times of men in difpules concerning them.
HaU^s Origin of MankineU
3. The att of haftening.
Confidcring the languor enfuing that a^ion in
fome, and the vifible acceleration it maketh of age
in moft, we cannot but think venery much abridg-
eth our days. Broivn,
To ACCE'ND. -v. a. [acceudo, Lat.] 'I'o
kindle, to fet on fire ; a word very
rarely ufed.
Our devotion, if fuHiciently acetnded, would, as
theirs, burn up innumerable books of this fort.
Decay of Piety.
Acce'nsion. n.f [acccttfo, Lat.] The
aft of kindling, or the ftate of being,
kindled.
Tile fulminating damp will take fire at a candle,
or other flame, and, upon its accenfion, gives a
crack or report, like the difcharge of z. gun, and
makes an cxplofion fo f.ircibi; as fometimes to kill
the miners, ihake the earth, and force bodies, of
great weight and bulk, from the bottom oi the pic
or mine. WsoJivard' s Natural Hiftory,
A'CCENT. n.f [accentus, Lat.]
1 . The manner of fpeaking or pronoun-
cing, with regard either to force or ele-
gance.
I know.
A C C
I know. Sir, I am no flatterer; he that be.
guited you in a plain accent was a plain knave 3
which, for my pJrt, I will not be. '
Sbakefpeare's King hear,
2. The found given to the fyllable pro-
nounced.
Your accent is fomething finer than ycu could
purchafe in lb removed a dwelling.
Sbalb^eare^s Asyou like it.
3. In grammar, the marks made upon fyl-
lables, to regulate their pronunciation.
Accent f as in the Greek names and ufage, feems
to have regardeJ the tune o^ the voice ; the acute
accent raifing the voice in fome certain fyllables to
a higher, i. e, more acute pitch or tone, and the
grave deorefling it lower, and both having fome em
phafts, i. e* more vigorous pronunciation. Holder.
4. Poetically, language or words.
How many ages hence
Shall this our lofty fcene be a£led o'er.
In Hates unborn, and accintsyex. unknown.
Sbahjpeare' i jfuliui Cafar.
Winds on your wings to heav'n her accents bear ;
Such words as heav'n alone is fit to hear.
DtyJ. Virg. Paji. 3.
5. A modification of the voice, expreffive
of the paflions or fentiments.
The tender accent of a woman's cry
Will pafs unheard, will unregarded die ;
When the rough feaman's louder fliouts prevail,
When fair occafion (hews the fpringing gale. Prior.
?« A'ccENT. -v. a. [from accentus, Lat.]
formerly elevated at the fecondfyllable,
now at the firft.
1. To pronounce, to fpeak words with
particular regard to the grammatical
marks or rules.
Having got fomebody to mark the laft fylhblc
but one, where it is long, in words above two fyl-
lables (which is enough to r"gi!a;e her pronuncia-
tion, and accenting the words , let her read daily in
the gofpeis, and avoid underrt.mdirjj them in La-
tin, if rtic can. hjcke on Edu:amny ^ 177.
2. In poetry ; to pronounce or utter in ge-
neral.
O my unhappy lines ! you that before
Have fcrv'd my youth to vent fome wanton cries.
And, now congeal'd with grief, can fcare implore
Strength to accent. Here my Albertus lies 1 fftinn.
3. To write or note the accents.
Ti Acce'ntu ATE. f. a. [accentuer, Fr.]
To place the proper accents over the
vowels.
Accentua'tion. n,/. [^(xoxa accent uate.'\
i . The a£l of placing the accent in pro-
nunciation.
2. Marking the accent in writing.
7» ACCE'PT. 1). a. [accipio, Lat. accepter,
1. To take with pleafure ; to receive
kindly ; to admit with approbation.
It is diflinguilhed from recei've, iisype-
afic from general ; noting a particular
manner of receiving.
Neitlierdo ye kindle fire on my altar for nought.
I have no pleafure in you, faith the Lord of hofts,
neither will 1 accept an offering at your hand.
Mclachi, i. 10.
God is no relpeOer of perfons : but, in evfrj
nation, he that feareth him, and worketh rlghte-
oufnefs, is accrf,ieii ivith him. Afli, x. 34, 35.
You have been gracicuHy pleafed to accept this
tender of my duty.
Dryden'i Dedicatinn f) hit FaLlet.
Charm by acc^ting, by fubmitting fway.
Vet have your hjmourmoft whf^n you nbcy. Pope.
2. It is ufed in a kind of juridical fenle ;
as, to accept terms, accept a treaty.
They flaughter'd many of the gentry, for whom
BO fcx or age could be aceifieJ for excuf:. S'lttney.
A C C
His promife Palamon accepts, but pray'd
To keep it better than the firft he made.
Dry den's Tables.
Thofe who have defended the proceedings of
our negociators at the treaty of Gertruydenburgh,
dwell upon their zeal and patience in endeavouring
to work the French up to their demands, but fay
nothing of the probability that France would ever
accept them. Stvift,
3. In the language of the Bible, to accept
perfons, is to aft with perional and par-
tial regard.
He will furcly reprove you, if ye do fccretly ar-
rc/r perfons. _ ^oi, xiii. 10.
4. It is fometimes ufed with the particle
of.
I will appeafe him with the prefcnt that goeth
before me, and afterward 1 will fee his face: per-
adventure he will accept of mz. Gencjis,x%xn. 2.0.
AccEPTABi'i-iTY. n.f. Thc quality of
being acceptable. See Acceptable.
He hath given us his natural blood to be flied,
for the remiflion of our fins, and for the obtaining
the grace and acceptability of repentance.
Tayhr's tVcrthy Ccmmumcant.
Acce'ptable. adj. {acceptable, Fr. from
the Latin.] It is pronounced by fome
with the accent on the firlb fyllable, as
by Milton ; by others, with the accent
on the fecond, which is more analogical.
I. That which is likely to be accepted ;
grateful ; pleafing. It is ufed with the
particle to before the perfon accepting.
Thi:i wuman, whom thou niad'fl :o be my help.
And gav'rt me as thy perfefl gift, fo good.
So fit, fo acceptable, fo divine.
That fiom her hand I could expefi no ill.
Paradife LciJ}, b. ii.
I do not fee any other method left for men of
that funftion to take, in order to reform the
world, than by ufing all honell arts to make them-
fclves acceptable to the laity. Sivi/t.
After he had made a peace fo acceptable to the
church, and fo honourable to himfelf, he died with
an extraordinary reputation of fan3ity.
Addifon on Italy.
Acce'ptableness. n.f. [from accepi-
able.'\ The quality of being acceptable.
Itwill thereby take ivmy the acceflaileneji of thut
coijun£lion. Crew'' s Ccfmologia Sacra, b< ii. c. 2.
Acce'ptably. ai/'u. [from acceptai/e.]
In an acceptable manner ; fo as to
pleafe ; with the particle to. For the
accent, fee Acceptable.
Do not omit thy prayers, fur want of a good ora-
tory J for he that prayeth upon Cod's account,
cares not what he fuffers, fo he be the friend of
Chriil; nor where nor when he prays, fo he may
do it frequently, fervently, and acattablf, Taykr.
If you can teach them to love and rclpe^V other
pe tple, they will, as your age requires it, find
way s to cxprefs it acceptably to every one.
Locke on Education, § 145.
Acce'ptance. n.f. [^acceptance, Fr.]
1. Reception with approbation.
Ey that acceptance of his I'overeignty, they alfo
a cepteJ of his lawsj why then Ihould any other
laws now be ufed amongl^ them }
Spenjcr's Stale of Ireland,
If he tells us his noble deeds, we mud alfo tell
him our noble acceptance of them.
Sbakcfpeare's Coriolanui.
Thus 1 imbold^i'd fpake, and freedom us'd
Permi/five, and aitcplance found.
Paradife Lojf, ^. viil. A 43 5.
Some men cannot be foolswith fo good acceptance
as others. South's Xrrm^ns,
2. The meaning of a word as it is received
or underftood; acceptation is the word
now commonly ufed.
A C C
That pleafure is man's chiefeft gsod, becfufe
indeed it is the peixeption of good that is properly
pleafure, is an aifertionmoft certainly true, though,
under the common acceptance of it, not only falfe
but odious: for, according to this, pleafure ani
fenfuality pafs for terms equivalent; and therefore
he, who takes it in this fenfe, alters the fubjeft of
the difcourfc, South,
Acce'ptance. [inlaw.] Thc receiving
of a rent, whereby the giver binds him-
felf, for ever, to allow a former aft done
by another, whether it be in itfelf good
or not. Co'wel,
Accepta'tion. n.f. [Jrom. accept.]
1. Reception, whether good or bad. This
large fenfe feems now wholly out of ufe.
Vet, poor foul ! knows he no other, but that I
do fufpeft, negled^, yea, and deleft him -^ For,
every day, he finds one way or other to fet forth
himfelf unto me; but all are rewarded with like
coldnefs oi acceptation, Sidney, b, ii.
What is new finds better acceptation, than what
is good or great. Dcnbam's Sophy„
2. Good reception, acceptance.
Cain, envious of the acceptation of his brother's
prayer and facrifice, flew him ; making himfelf
the firft manflayer, and his brother the firft mar-
tyr. Raleigh's Hiftcry of the World, b. i.
3. The ftate of being acceptable ; regard.
Some things, although not fo required of necef-
fity, that, to leave them undone, excludeth from
falvation, are, nntwithftandirg, of fo great dig-
nity and acceptation with Cod, tliat moft ample
reward in heaven is laid up for them. Hooker^ b. ii*
They have thofe enjoymcnt^only as the confe-
qucnces of the ftate of efteem and acceptation they
are in with their parents and governours.
Locke on Education, § 5 J.
4. Acceptance in the juridical fenfe. This
fenfe occurs rarely.
As, in order to the pafling away a thing by gift,
there is required a furrcnder of all right on his part
that gives ; fo there is required alfo an acceptation
on his part to whom it is g'ven. South's Seiwoiis,
5. The meaning of a word, as it is com-
monly received.
Thereupon the earl of Lauderdale made a dif-
courfc upon the feveral queffions, and what ac-
ceptation thefe words and expreflions had.
Clarendon, b. viii»
All matter is either fluid or folid, in a large
acceptation of the words, that they may compre-
hend even all the middle degrees betwren extreme
fixednefs and coherency, and the moft rapid in-
teftinemotionof the particles of bodies. Boitl. Serf?;,
Acce'pter. a./, [from accept.] The per-
fon that accepts.
Acceptila'tion. n.f. [acceftilatio, Lat. J
A term of the civil law, importing the
remiflion of a debt by an acquittance
from the creditor, teftifying the receipt
of money which has never been paid.
Acce'ption. a. f. [acceptiort, Fr. from
ncceptio, Lat.] The received fenfe of a
word ; the meaning. Not in ufe.
That this hath been cliecmcu thc due .ind prd-
per acception of this word, 1 fhall teftify by one
evidence, which gave me the firft hint of this no-
tion. Hammond on Ft/rrdatnentals,
ACCE'SS. n.f. [In fome of its fenfes, it
leems derived from accefj'us ; in others,
from acccfjio, Lat. acces, Fr]
I. The way by which any thing ;nay be
approached.
The accefs of the town was only by a neck of
land. .Bacon,
There remained very advantageous aeC'fh for
temptations to enter and invade men, the fortifi-
cations being very fl-ndcr, little knowledge of im-
mo.'tality, or an; thing beyond tliis life, and no
alfurarvvfi
A C C
•ffuraace tlut rrptatance wouM be iJmitted Tor I
<in. Hammof^d on yundamntalu
And hrrt th* aceejt a gloomy grove defends {
And hrie th* unnuvigabic lake extendSi
H>'cr whofe unhappy waters, void of lights
'No bird prerames to (leer his airy flight.
Orjdrnt j^netd, vi,
i. The means, or liberty, of approaclung
either to things or men.
When we are wrong'd, and would unfold our
griefs,
We «re deny'd acf^i unto hii perfon«
£v'n by thofe men that moft have done us wrong.
Shah/pearc*
They go commiflion'd to require a peace,
And carry prefenti to procure «c^.
Drydcni ^neid, vii. /, tOg.
He grants what they befought j
InftruAed, that to Cod js ao-acceft
Without Mediator, whofe high office now
Mofcs in figsre bears.
Afilicn's Par, Lut, h.xi'i. l.ijg,
3. Encreafe, enlargement, addition.
The gold was accumulated, and (lore treafures,
for the moll part; but the filver is ftill growing.
Befides, infinite is the aectfi of territory and em-
pire ij tlie fame enterprise. Bacon.
Sot think fuperfluous their aid ;
I, from the influence of thy iooks, receive
jtcceji in every virtue ; in thy fight
Wore wife, more watchful, ftronger.
Paradije hufi, h. !x.
Although to opinion, there be many gods, may
fc::m an aueji in religion, and fucli js cannot at ail
confiH with athclfm, yet doth it dcduflivcly, and
upon inference, include the fame; for unit) is the
jnfcparable and eHential attribute of Deity.
Brii'wnt Vulgar ErrcurSf h, u f . 10.
The reputation
Of virtuous aftions paft, if not kept up
■With an accefs, and frei>. fupply, of new ones,
Is loft and loon forgotten. Daihant^s So/>hy, i
4. It is fometimes ufed, after the French,
to fignify the returns or fits of a diftem-
per j but this fenfe feems yet fcarcely
received into our language.
For as relapfes make difcafes.
More defperate than their firll accrffes. Itudihrat.
A'ccEssARiNESS. ». /. [froiB accejpxry.'\
The ftate of being acceflary.
Perhaps this will draw us into a negative accrf-
farirfefi to the mifchiefs. Dtcay cf Piety.
A'ccEstAHY, *dj. [A corruption, as it
feems, of the word acceffory, which fee ;
but now more commonly ufed than the
proper word.] 1 hat which, without
being the chief conllituent of a crime,
contributes to it. But it had formerly a
good and general fenfe.
As for thofe, things that are accejpiry hereunto,
thofe things that fo belong to the way of falvation,
&c. Il(ioktr,h,\\\,^ ■^,
He hath taken upon him the government o(
HuU, without any apprehenfion or imagination,
that it would ever make him aicijj'ary to rebellion.
C/arendon, h. viii.
Acce'ssible. aifj. [accejpbilii, Lat. ac-
ctjjible, Fr.] That which may be ap-
proached ; that which we may reach or
arrive at.
It is applied both to perfons and
thing.'v, with the particle tt.
Sonic lie more open to our fenles and daily ob-
fervation \ others are more occult and hidden,
and though accejfibUy '\n fome meafure, to our
fenfes, yet not without great fearch and fcrutiny,
or fome happy accident. HaJt'i Origin of Mankind,
Thofe things, which were indeeid inexplicable,
liave been rackt and tortured to difcover tbem-
felves, while the plainer and more acctffihie truths,
«s if defpicablc while caf^i ait clouded and ob-
jfcurc^. Dkoj of Piety,
A C C
Al an ifland, we are atceJUU oB every fide, and
expofed to perpetual invafions ; againft which it i<
impoflible to fortify ourfelvea fufficiently, without
a power at fea. Addifint Frteboldtr.
In converfation, the tempers of men are open and
tremble, their attention is awake, and their minds
difpofc-d to receive the ftrongeft impreffions ; and
what is fpnken is generally more affeding, and
more appofite to particular occafions. Rcgrrs.
Acce'ssion. »./ [acctj/!e. Lit, accejion,
Fr.]
1. Increafe by fomething added, enlarge^
ment, augmentation.
Nor could all the king's bounties, nor his own
large acccffom, raife a fortune to hi« heir ; but af-
ter vaft fums of money, and great wealth gotten,
he died unlamented. Clarendon.
There would not have been found the difference
here fct down betwixt the force of the air, when
expanded, and what that force (hould have been
according to the theory, but that the included inch
of air received fome little accejjion during the trial.
Boyle" i Spring &/* the j^ir.
The wifeft among the nobles began to appre-
hend the growing power of the people j and there-
fore, knowing what an accejjion thereof would ac-
crue to them, by fuch an addition of property,
ufed all means to prevent it> Sivift.
Charity, indeed, and works of munificence, are
the proper difcharge of fuch over-proportioned
accejiom, and the only virtuous enjoyment of tliem.
Rogirs^s Serm^ni.
2. The aft of coming to, or joining one's
felf to ; as, accejjion to a confederacy.
Befidc, what wile objeaions he prepares
Againft my late acciJJMn to the wars ?
Does not the fool perceive his argument
Is with more force againft Achilles bent }
Dryden'i Fah/ei.
3. The adl of arriving at ; as, the king's
accejfioH to the throne.
.A'ccfiSiORlLV. adv. \it<3sa accejjory .^ In
the manner of an acceflbry.
A'ccESSORY.flf^'. Joined to another thing,
fo as to increafe it ; additioaal.
In this kind there is not the leaft a£lion, but it
doth fomewhat make to the accejfory augmentation
ofourblifs. Hxkrr.
A'ccessory. h. /. \acce^oria!, Lat. ac-
cijfoire, Fr. This word, which had
anciently a general fignification, is now
almoft confined to forms of law.]
\. Applied to perfons.
A man that is guilty of a felonious ofl'ence, not
principally, but by participation ; as, by com-
mandment, advice, or concealment. And a man
may be acceijory to the offence of another, after
two forts, by the common law, or by ftarute : and,
by the common law, two ways alfo; that is, be-
fore or after the fatl. Before the rafl j as, when
one commandeth or advifeth another to commit a
felony, and is notprefentat the execution thereof;
for his prcfence makes him alfo a principal ; wheie-
fore there cannot be an acccjjory before the fa£l in
manftaughter ; becaufe manflaughtcr is fudden
and not prepcnfed. Accijjhry after the fadl, is,
when one receiveth him, wW>m he knoweth to
have committed leiony. A<ctjrory by ftatute, is
he that abets, counlels, or hides any man com-
mitting, or having committed, an offence made fe-
lony by ftatute. Cewel.
By the common law, the accijfories cannot be
proceeded againft, till tlie principal has received
his trial. SpenJ. Stale of JreUnd.
But paufe, my foul ! and ftudy, ere thou fall
On accidental joys, th^ effential.
Still before accejjbriei to abide
A trial, muft the principal be try'd. Dcnnt.
Now were all transform'^
Alike, to ferpents all, as aceeffirirt
To his bold riot. Milton' t P»r. t,^, h, X, U 510.
2. Applied to things.
A C C
An atttjforj it faid to b« that which it*» tlv
cede unto fome principal fad or tiling in law (
and, as fuch, generally fpeakiog, follows tlie rci-
foir and nature of its principal. Aylife,
A'cciDENCE. n. f. [a corruprion of^ /jr-
cidents, from accidentia, Latin.] The
little book containing the firft ru-
diments of grammar, and explaining
the properties of the eight parts of
fpeech.
I do confefs I do want eloquence.
And never yet did learn mine accidence.
Taylor the tTatrr-poet,
A'CCIDENT. n./, [accident, Lat.]
1. The property or quality of any being,
which may be feparated from it, atleafl
in thought.
If ftie were but the body's accident.
And her fole being did in it fubfift.
As white in fnow ihe might herfclf abfent,
And in the body's fubftance not be mif&'d.
Sir y. Dav'el.
An accidental mode, or an accident, is fuch a
mode as is not neceffary to the being of a thing ;
for the fubjeft may be without it, and yet remain
of the fame nature tliat it was before ; or it is that
mode which may be feparated or aboliftied from
its fubje£l. IVatti's Lo^ick,
2. In grammar, the property of a word.
Tile learning of a language in nothing elfe but
the informing of ourfelvei, what compufurei of
letters arc, by confent and inftitution, to fignify
fuch certain notions of things, with their nioda.
lities and accidents. H'ilderi Elements ofSpeccb*
3. That which happens unfbrefeen; ca-
fualty, chance.
General laws are like general rules in phyfick,
according whereunto, as no wife man will dclire
himfelf to be cured, if there be joined with his
difcal'c fome fpecial accident, in regard whereof,
that whereby others in the fame infirmity, but
without the like accident, recover health, w«uld
be, to him, either hurtful, or, at the leaft, un-
profitable. Hooker, b. v. ^ 9.
The flood, and other accidents of time, made
it one common field and pafture with the land of
Eden. Raleigh's Hifior/ of the World,
Our joy is tum'd
Into perplexity, and new amaze ;
For whither is he gone ? \f\sM accident
Hath rapt him from us ? Parajife Regained,
And trivial accidents Ihall be forborn.
That others may have time to uke their turn.
Dryden's Failet,
The reformation owed nothing to the good in-
tentions of king Henry. He was only an inftru-
mentof it (a« the logicians fpeak) by accident.
Sivift's Mijcellanies,
Accide'ntal. ft./, [accidental, Fr. See
ACCIDENT.] A property nonefTeii-
tial.
Conceive, as much as you can, of the efTentiaU
of any fubjed, before you confider its accidentals,
fVaits's Logick.
Accide'ntal. adj. [from accident.]
1. Having the quality of an accident,
nonefTential ; ufed with the p.irticle to,
before that in which the accident in-
heres.
A diftinflion is to be made between what
plcafcs naturally in itfclf, and what pleafcjs upon
the account of machines, atlors, dances, and
circumftances, which are merely accidental to the
tragedy, Rymer's Tragedies of the laft Age,
This it ecc'idental to a ftate of religion, and
tlierefore ought to be reckoned among the ordinary
difficulties of it. Tithtjan,
2. Cafual, fortuitous, happening by chance.
Thy fin's not accidental, but a trade.
Shakefpeare's Mcaf. fjr Mcaf,
So fhall you hear
01 tcddinltl jai^tMaf) cafual flaughteis ;
Of
A C C
Of deatht put on by cunning, and forc'd caufe.
Shakeff. Hdmlct.
Look upon things of the mod acddtual and
mutablf! nature; accidenlal in their produSion,
and mutable in their continuance ; yet God's
prefc'ence of them is as certain in him, as the
memory of them is, or can be, in us.
Smith' t Sc mors.
3. In the following paflage it feems to
flgmfy adiientitious.
Ay, luch a minifter as wind to fire,
Tha: adds an accidtntal fiercenefs to
Its narural fury. Dcnbam'% Sc;>h.
Accidentally, aJi>. [from accidental]
1. After an accidental manner ; noneffen-
tially.
Other points no lefs concern the Common-
wealth, though but accidentally depending U3 .n
the former. «>>«/«■•, St. :fir.l.
I conclude choler acciJetuaUy bitter, and acri-
monioui, but not in idilf. Harvey on Cmfum^tkns.
Z, Cafually, fortuitoufly.
Although virtuous men do fometimes acciJer
tally make their way to preferment, yet t'.ic
world is fo corrupted, that nu man can reafon-
»bly hope to be rewarded in it, merely upon ?c-
count of his virtue. Swift', MijccHanics.
Accide'ntalness. n./. [from acciden-
la/.] The quality of being accidental.
Acci PIENT. n./. [accipient, Lat.] A re-
ceiver, perhaps lometjmes ufed for re-
cipiint.^ j)jg
To Acci TE, -V. a. [accito, Lat.] To call,
to fomrnons ; a word not in ofe now.
Our coronation done, we will accit^,
(As I before x:.n:r.i'xt'i) all our ftate,
Ani (h'eavV, cwifi^r'-j to :- y good intents)
No pnnre, :jo peer, : t c^ufc £„ fj„
Hcav n ihjrtrn Ha: c 3^5 day.
AccLA iM,»./ [flfi^/owo, Lat. from which
n.^-„K;. Crftthe rerU-^f/a/w. jiwloli,
lenoon.] A (hout of praife,
jrfoitthypow'n, with load tfrt/dim,
.,-1 L . ■ ^''"'» P'r. Lofi, b. iii. /. ,07.
The herald end* ; the vaulted firmament
With loud acc:amt, and vaft applaufe, is rent.
. , t>ryd. FM,t.
ACCLAMA rioN. n.f. [acclamatio, Lat.]
Shouts of a;>plaufe ; fuch, as thofe with
which a viftorious army falutes the ge-
neral. °
It hath been the cuftom of Chriftian men, in
token of the gieater reverence, to «and, to utter
ceruin word* o{ atcUmatio,, and, at the name of
Jefus, to bow, 11,^1,^, i. V. ^ ig.
Gladly then he mix'd
Among thofe friendly pow'rs, who him teceiv'd
With joy, and acclamathm loud, that one,
That, of fo many myriads faU'n, yet one
Retum'd, not loft. Milt, farad. Left, i.vU l.zi
Such an encliantment is the.e in words, and
1 ?!,* "f ^'^f '' ''"'" '" '■<""«> to be ruined
plaufibly, and to be ulhered to their dcrtruaion
with paacg)nck and acclamation. South
AccLi'viTY. n.f. [from acclit-ut, Lat.]
The Ikepnefs or rtope of a line inclin-
ing to the horizon, reckoned upwards •
«, the afcent of an hill is the acc/intt/j]
the defcent is the declivity. P«/«A>.
The nien, leaving their wives and younger
children below, do, not without fome difficttltv,
clamber up the accli^itie,, dragging their kine
w.th them, whe-e ll«y feed them, aod milk
thew, and make butter and cheefe, and do all
.he *a,;y-work. Ray o„ th Crtat,.,,.
Accii vous. adj. {accli-vu,, Lat.] Rifinp
with a (lope. *■
Vol. L I
A C C
A C C
To Accto'r. v. a. [See CLOY.]
1. To fill up, in an ill fenfe ; to crowd, to
Huff full ; a word almoft obfolete.
At the well head the pureft ftreamsarife;
But mucky filth his branching arms annoys,
And with uncomely weeds the gentle wave arr/oyj.
'Fdi}y ^cen.
2. To fill to fatiety ; in which fenfe clov is
itill in ufe.
They that, efcapc bed in the temperate zone,
would be acchyid with long nights,' very tedious,
no lefs than forty days. Ray o-l the Creatim.
To Acco'iL. v. IT. [See Coil.] To
crowd, to keep a coil about, to buftle,
to be in a hurry: a word now out of
ufe.
About the cauldron many cooks accoiTd,
With hooks and hJles, as need did require ;
The while the viands in the veOel boil'd.
They did about their bufinefs fweat, and forely
'^"i''''- Tairi Suten.
A'ccOLENT. n.f. \accokns, Lat.] He that
ribabits near a place ; a borderer. Dia.
Acco'mmodable. adj. [accommodabilis,
Lat.] That which may be fitted ; widi
the particle to.
As there is infinite variety in the circumftances
of pe.f.ns, thing,, anions, times, and places; fo
we muft be furniihed with fuch general rulei a;
arc auommaMt to a';l this variety, by a wife judg-
ment and diforeti.n. WattC, Logici.
To ACCO'MMODATE. v. a. [acccm-
mcdo, Lat.]
1. To fupply with conveniencies of any
kind. It has tuiih before the thing,
1 hcie three,
The .eft io nothing ; with this word, ftand, flanj,
j1(ccmm,dalcj by the place (more charming
With rheirown noblenefs, which could haveturn'd
A diftaff to a lance), gilded pale looks.
Sbakcfp, CytnbcUre.
2. With the particle /<7, to adapt, to fit, to
make confiiient with.
He had altered many things, not that they
were not natural before, but that he might accom-
xKdait himfelf to the age in which he lived.
,_ . Dryden on Dramatic Poetry,
rmt hit ronfijrtune to li^bt upon an hypo-
thefis, that could not be acotr.modaiid to the na-
ture of things, and human aftliiis ; his principles
could not be made to agree with that conftitution
and order which God hatli fettled in the world.
3. To reconcile ; to adjuft what feems in-
confiftent or at variance ; to make con-
fillency appear.
Part know how to accomodate St. James and
St. Paul better than fome late reconcilers. Norri:.
To Acco'mmodate. f. n. To be con-
formable to.
They make the particular enfigns of the twelve
tribes accommodate unto tiie twelve figns of the
zodiac. n
»T • L r , . Brown.
Neither fort of chymifts have duly confidcred
how great variety there is in the textures and
confiftencics of compound bodies; and how little
the confiftince and duration of many of them
feem to accommodate and be explicable by the pro
pofed^ notion. Boyle; Sce/>t. Chym.
Acco'mmodate. adj. [accommodatut, Lat.]
Suitable, fit; ufed fometimes with the
particle/iir, but more frequently with to.
They are fo aftcd and directed by nature, as
to caft their eggs in fuch places as arc moft ac-
ccmmadate for the cxcluCon of their young, and
where there is food ready for them fo foon as they
be hatched. Ry on the Creation.
In thefe cafes we examine the why, the what,
and the how, of things, and ptopofc means ac-
ttmmodttt It ti>c end. VEJtran^c, ,
God did not primarily intend to appoint th!»
way of worfliip, and to impofe it upon them aj
that which was moft proper and agreeable to him,
but tliat he condefcended to it as moft accommodate
to their prefent ftate and inclination. Tillotfon.
Acco'mmodately. adv. [from accom-
modate.] Suitably, fitly.
Accommoda'tion. n.f. [ham accommit'
date.]
1. Provifion of conveniencies. •v,
2. In the plural, conveniencies, things re-
quifite to eafe or refrefhment.
The king's commiilioncrs were to have fuch
accommodations, a;; the other thought fit to leave t»
them ; who had been very civil to tlie king's
commiflioners. Clar.„don, b. yiii.
3. Adaptation, fitnefs ; vvith the particle /o.
Indeed that difputing phyfialogy is no accommo-
dation to your defignf, which are not to teach men
to cant endlefsly about ittateria and frma.
Glan-vilU's Scepfts*
The organization of the body, with accommoda-
tion to its funitions, is fitted with th: moft curious
mechanifm. //a/«i Origin.
4- Compofition of a difference, reconcili-
ation, adjulhnent.
Acco'mpanable. adj. [from accompany.'\
Sociable : a word now not ufed.
A (hiw, as it were, of ui accomparfable folita.
rincfs, and of a civil wildnefs. Sidney, b. i.
Acco'mpanier. »./ [from accompany.]
The perfoii that makes part of the com-
pany ; companion, Dia.
To ACCO'MPANY. -v. a. [accompagntr,
Fr.] To be with another as a compa-
nion, it is ufed both of perfons and
things.
Co vjfit her, in her chafte bower of reft,
Accompany'd with angel-like delights.
, Sfenfer, Sonnet iii.
The great bufinefs of the fenfe* being to ^lake
u: take notice of what hurts or advantages the
body, it is wifely ordered by nature, that pain
fhould accompany the reception of feveral ideas.
Ltcie.
As folly IS ufually accompanied with perverfc-
nefs, fo it is here. Stvift's Short yie-w of Ireland.
To Acco'mpany. 'v.n. To aflbciate with;
to become a companion to.
No maninrSccl doth accompany mth others
but he learneth, ere he is aware, fome gcfture*
voice, or faftiion. Bacon's Nat. Hi/lory',
Acco'mplice. »./. [complice, Fr. from
complex, a word in the barbarous Latin,
much in ufe.]
I. An aflbciate, a partaker, ufually in aa
ill fenfe.
There were feveral fcandalous reports induftri .
oudy fpread by Wood, and his accomplices, to dif-
courage all oppofition againft liis infamous projert.
Sivifi.
2. A partner, or to-operator j in a fenfe
indifferent.
If a tongue would be talking without a mouth,
what could it have done, when it had all it»
organs of fpccch, and accomplices of f<,und, about
''• . AddiJ'ontSpiaatorfti" zn_j.
3, It is ufed with the panicle to before a
thing, and •with before a perfon,
Childlefs Arturiua, vaftly rich before.
Thus by his lolfes multiplies his ftore,
Sufpedled for accomplice to the fire,
Th.it burnt his palace but to build it higher.
Dryd.Juii.'Sit.
Who, ftiould theyft^l for want of his rcliet
He judg'd himfelf flr«»i^/(« ■with the thief,
Diydcn't Fables.
To ACCOMPLISH. -J. a. [aaompUr, tr.
from coinpUo, Lat.]
D i.T«
A C C .
». To complete, to execute fully; as, to
atamflijb a dcfign.
He that U fir oft (hall die of the peftilence, and
lie that is near (hall fall by the fword, and he that
temaineth, and is befieged, (hall die by the fa-
mine. Thus will I eccimflifr my fury upon them.
Extkkl, vi. la.
». To complete a period of time.
He would accampli/h Icventy years in the defo-
lations of Jerulilcm. Danitl, ix. a.
3. To fulfil ; as, a prophecy.
The vifion,
Which I made known to Lucius ere the ftroke
Of this yet fcarce cold battJe, at this in(»ant '
Is full accmflijh'd. ShaUfra-t'i Cymhlint.
We fee every day thofe events eaaflly aaom-
pTilhtd, which our Saviour foretold at fo great a
diftance. , ^**''/°«-
4. To gain, to obtain.
Tell him from me (a» he will win my love)
He bear himfelf with honourable aftion ;
Such as he hath obferv'd in noble ladies
Unto their lords, by them aecomplilhtd.
_ Stakrjf. 7am. of a Sircw.
I'll make my lieaven in a lady's lap.
Oh miferable thought, and more unlikely.
Than to accompli/h twenty golden crowns.
'^•^ Hhakijf.litnryy
5. To adorn, or furnifh, either mind or
body.
From the tents
The armourers uctmfTtp'ing the knights.
With bufy hammers clofmg rivets up.
Give dreadful note of preparation. Shakefp. Htri, V.
Ac co'm p I, I s H E D . participial adj.
1. Complete in fome qualification.
For who cxpcfts, that, under a tutor, a young
gentleman Ihould be an ammflj/hiJ publick ora-
tor or logician. Ltcie.
2. Elegant ; finiftied in refpea of embel-
lifiiments ; ufed commonly of acquired
. qualifications, without including moral
excellence.
The next I took to wife,
O that I never had ! fond with too late.
Was in the valeof Sorec, Dallla,
That fpteious' nJon(Ver, my acccmfli/h'rl fnare.
Sam/on Agcn.
Acco'mplisher. n.f. [from accompliJh.'\
The pcrfon that accompliflies. DiSl.
Acco' a PLiSHUBKr. It./. lac<ompliJ~ement,
1 . Completion, full performance, perfec-
tion.
This would be the acccmpCi/hment of their com-
mon felicity, in cafe, by their evil, either through
<lcftiny or advice, they fuffered not the occ.ilion to
^( loft. Sir Jibn Hayward.
Thereby he might evade the aatmfl'^nur.t of
thofe affliftions he now but gradually end urcth.
BrtnvH^s Vulgar Errours.
He thought it impo(rible to (inJ, in any one
body, all thofe perfcSions which he fought for
the acitmflijimtnt of a Helena j becaufc nature,
In any individual ptrfon, makes nothing that is
perfed in all its parts. Drydm'i Dufrtjiry, Pre/.
2. Completion ; as, of a prophecy.
The miraculous fuccefs of th; apo.lles preach-
ing, and the acampliJhiKer.t of miny of their pre- •
i'ldt'ions, which, to thofe early Chriiiians, were
matters of fath only, are, to us, matters of figh:
and expetience. ^iitriury'tSirmoin.
3. Embelli(hm«nt, elegance, ornament of
mind or body.
Young heirs, and elder brothers, from their
cwn refleifling up.in theeftatestheya.e born to, and
therefore thinking all other accimplijhmntt unne-
celTary, arc iff no manner of ufc but to keep
op their families. Aldifin, Speftator, N" 123.
4. The a£l of obtaining or perfefting any
thing; attainment; completion.
A C C
The means fuggcfted by policy and worldly
wifdom, for the aitainmcnt of thofe earthly cn-
joymer.ts, are unfit for that purpofe, not only
upon the account of their infufficicr.cy for, but
alfo of their frequent oppofit'.on and contrariety
to, the aiccmplipmir.i of fucli ends. South' t Scrm.
Acco'mpt. It./. [Fr. compter And compte,
anciently accompier. Skinner.^ An ac-
count, a reckoning. See Account.
The foul may have time to call itfelf to a juft
accompt of all things paft, by means whereof re-
pentance is perfefled. Hotter, i.v. §46.
Each Cbriftmas they accanpn did dear;
And wound their bottom round the year. Pritr,
Acco'mptant. It./, [accomptant, Fr.] A
reckoner, computer. See Account-
ant.
As the accompt runs on, generally the accompt-
ant goes backward. Souib's Sermors.
Acco'mpting DAY. The day On which
the reckoning is to be fettled.
To whom thou much doll owe, thou much
maft pay;
Think on the debt againft th' accompt'wg day.
Sir J. Dnkam,
To ACCO'RD. f. a. [derived, by fome,
from corda, the firing of a mufical in-
ilrument, by others, from corda, hearts ;
in the firft, implying harmony, in the
other, unity.]
. To make agree ; to adjuft one thing to
another ; with the particle to.
The (irft fports the (hepherds (hewed, were full
of fuch leaps and gambols, as being accardeii to
the pipe which they bore in their mouths, even
as they danced, made a right piilure of their chief
god Pan, and his companions the fatyrs.
Siilnty, b.\.
Her hands accorded the lute's mufic to the voice;
her panting heart danced to the mufick.
Sidney, h. ii.
The lights and (hades, whofe well acardeJ ftrife
Gives all the (irength and colour of our life.
Pope's Epift.
2. To bring to agreement ; to compofe ;
to accommodate. ,
Men would not reft upon bare contrafts without
reducing the debt into a fpecialty, which created
much certainty, and acctrdtd many fuits.
Sir M. Hale.
To Acco'r D. f. n. To agree, to fuit one
with another ', with the particle w/VA.
1 hings are often fpoke, and feldom meant ;
But that my heart acccrdtth ivitb my tongue.
Seeing the deed is meritorious,
And to prefervc my fovereign from his foe.
ShaS^p.Hen.Vl
Several of the main parts of Mofcss biftory, as
concerning the flood, and the (irft fathers of the
fcve:al nations of the world, do very well acctr.i
ivith the mod ancient accounts of pmfane hiliory.
Till tfon. Sermon i.
Jarring int'refts of themfelves create
Th" accorditg mufick of a well-mixt (late. Pope.
Aoco'r-D. n./. [accord, Fr.]
I. Acompaft; an agreement ; adjuftment
of a difference.
There was no means for him to fatisfy all
obligations to God and man, but to ofler himfelf
for a mediator of an accord and peace between
them. Bacon's Hen, VII.
If both are fatisfy'd with this accord.
Swear by the laws of knighthood on my fword.
Dryd. Fat.
z. Concurrence, union of mind.
At laft fuch grace I found and means I wrought,
That I that la 'y to my Ipoufe had won,
Accord of friends, confent of parents fought,
Affiance made, my happincfs begun.
Spenfir's Fairy Sheer.
. They gathered tlicniiyvcs together, to fight
A C C
with Tofliua and Urael, with one eccorj.
•■ Jtpua, IX. 1.
Harmony, fymmetry, juft correfpond-
ence of one thing with another.
Beauty is nothiii^ clfc but a juft acard and mu-
tual harmony of the members, animated by a
healthful conftitution. Drydm't Dujrejnoj, Pre/.
. Mufical note.
Try, if there were in one ftceple two bells of
unifon, whether the ftriking of the one would
move the other, mire than If it were another
accord. Bacons Natural Hljlorj, No 281.
We muft not blame Apollo, but his lute.
If falfe accords from her diit fttings be fent.
Sir y. Daviet.
. Oxvn accord ; voluntary motion : ufed
both of perfons and things.
Ne Guyon yet fpal^e word.
Till that they came unto an iron door.
Which to them open'd of its own accorr!.
ta'ry Stuetn.
Will you blaxe any man for doing that of hia
own accord, which all men (hmld be compelled to
do, that are not willing t th.mfelvea. Hocier.
All animal fubftance.-, eipofed to tlie air, turn
alkaline of their f wn accord; and fome vegetables,
by heat, will not turn acid, but alkaline.
jlrbuthnit en Arimcr.ls.
in fpeaking, correfpondent to
6. Aftion
the words.
Titus, I am come to talk with thee. —
No, not a word: how can I grace my talk,
Wanting a hand to give it that accord?
Sbate/p. Titus And.
Acco'rdance. n./. [from accord.]
1 . Agreement with a perfon ; with the
particle iMith.
And prays he may in long accordance bide,
With that great worth which hath fuch wonder*
wrought. Fairfax, h.'n.Jlan*ab%'
2. Conformity to fomething.
The only way of defining of fin, is, by the con-
trariety to the will of God ; as of good, by the
accordance vntl) that will.
Hammond's Fundamentals.
Acco'rdant. adj. [accordant, Fr.] Wil-
ling ; in a good humour. Not in ufe.
1 he prince difcovered that he loved your niece,
and meant to acknowledge it this night in a dance;
and, if he found her accordant, he meant to take
the prefent time by the top, and inftantly break
with you of it. Skakefp. Muck ado ahout Nothing.
Ac co' R D I N c . prep, [from accord, of which
it is properly a participle, and is there-
fore never ufed but with to.]
. In a manner fuitable to, agreeably to,
in proportion.
Our churches are places provided, that the peo-
ple might there alTemble themfelves in due and
decent manner, according to their feveral degrees
and orders. Hooker, h. v. ^ 13.
Our leal, then, (houlJ be according to know-
ledge And what kind of knowledge ? Witli ut
all queftion, firft, according to the true, faving,
evangelical knowledge. It (liould be according to
the gofpcl, the whole gcfpel : not only according to
its truths, but precepts : not only according to its
fiee grace, but necelTary duties : not only accord-
ing to its mjfteries, but alfo its commandments.
Sprat's Sermtm.
Noble is the fame that is built on candour and
ingenuity, according to thofe beautiful lines of Sir
John Denham. Addijon, Sptaalor.
1. With regard to.
God made all things in number, weight, and
meafure, and gave them to be confidercJ by us ac-
tording to thefe propeities, which are inherent in
creatcJ beings. Hc:dcr en Time,
3. In proportion. The following phrafe
is, I think, vitious.
A man may, with prudence and a good con-
fclencc, approve of the profeiTed principles of one
patty
A C C
party more than the other, according as he thinks J
they bell piomotc the good of church and ftate.
Sivlft'i Church tf England Man.
Acco'roinclv. aJ'v. [from accon/.] A-
greeably, faitably, conformably.
As the a'Sions ot men are of fundry diilmft
kinds, fo the laws thereof -oiuft accori'wg'.y be dif-
tinguiihed. Ho'.kcr, b.i.
Sirrib, thou'rt faid to have a ftubborn fouf.
That apprehends no fuit'ier than this world;
And ftjuar'U thy life accord n^fy.
Shakilp. Mcufurefor Meaj.
Whoever is fo aflTuted of the authuricy and f:nk
of fcrirture, as to believe ths doSriae of it, and
to live acccjdinglyt fliall be laved.
TilUtfon's Prifacc.
Mealy fubftances, fermented, turn four. Ai-
cordinglj, given to a weak child, they dill retain
their future; fot bread will give them the cholit.
Arbutbnor en AHmcnts.
To ACCO'ST. -v. a. \accofttr, Fr.] To
fpcik to firft ; to addrefs ; to falute,
Vou millake. knight : a.-ct/? her, front her,
board her, woo her, alTail her.
Sbakfj'ftare'l Tvjelfth Night.
At length, ciiUcaing ail his ferpent wiles,
Witii foothmg words renew d, him thus accoSs.
Paraa. Reg,
I firft aca^-d him : I fu'd, I (ought,
Aod, with a loving force, to Phencus brought.
Dryd. j'Ene'td.
Acco'sTABLE. <i<^'. [from flffo/?.] Eafyof
accefs ; familiar. Not in ufe.
They were both indubitable, ftron^-, and high-
minded men, yet of fwect and accnjiahU nature,
almod equally del ghting in theprefsand affluence
of d'pendents and fultors. yf^atsn.
ACCO'UNT. n. f. [ftom the old French
accomft, from computui, Lat. it was ori-
ginally written accimpt, which fee ; but,
by gradually foftening the pronuncia-
tion, in time the orthography changed
to account. \
.1. A computation of debts or expences ; a
regifter of facts relating to money.
At many tJm^s I brought in m^ a.aui.tj^
Laid them before you ; you would threw them off,
And fay you found them in mine honefly.
Shakcfp. Timcn.
When my young mader has once got the ikill
of keeping accounti (which is a bulincfs of rear>n
more than arithmetic) i>erhaps it will not be amlfs,
that his father frj;n thenceforth require him to do
it in all his concernments. Lacke on Educ.
2. The ftate or refult of a computation ;
as, the acccunt ftands thus between us.
Behoid this have 1 fnund, faith the Preacher,
counting or.e by one, to Bnd out the acatint.
EcclefipJIkus, vii. 17.
3. Such a ftateofperfons or things, as may
make them more or lefs worthy of being
confidered in the reckoning. Value, or
ellimation.
For the care that they toik for their wives and
their children, their brethren and kinsfolks, was
in leafl iictuni with them : but the greatell and
principal fear was fur the holy temple.
z Maccah. xv, 1 1.
That good affcAion, which things of fm.Tller ar-
ttutt have once fet on work, is by fo much the
more calily raifed higher. Hocker, h. v. ^ 35.
1 fliould make more account of their judgment,
who arc rnen of fenfe, and yet have never touched
a pencil, than of the opinion given by the grcatcO
part of painters. Dryden^t D.'ijrrfr.
4. Profit ; advantage ; to /«r« to account
is to produce advantage.
We wouiJ eftablifl) our fouls in fuch a folid and
fubftintial virtue, as will turn to aacuni in that
great day, when it mull Hand the tc!l of infinite
wifdom and juflicc. Add, Sji{l, N^ 399.
A C C
. Dlftlnflion, dignity, rank.
There is fuch a peculiarity in Homer's manner
of apostrophizing Eumaus: it is generally applied,
by that poet, only to men v^ account and diftinc-
ti'on. Pope's OdylTey; *.'«.
. A reckoning verified by finding the va-
lue of a thing equal to what it was ac-
counted.
Confidering the ufual motives of human aflions,
which are pleafure, profit, and ambition, I cannot
yet comprehend howthofe pcrfons find theirarroir:;
in any of the three. Swift.
. A reckoning referred to, or fum charg-
ed upon any particular peribn ; and
thence, figuratively, regard; confidera-
lion ; fake.
If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee aught,
put that on my account, Philemon, i. S,
This mull be always remembered, that liothiiig
can come into the account .>f recreation, that is not
done with delight. Liciecn Education, ^ 197.
In matters vvlierc his judgment led him to op-
pofe men on a public acccunt, he would do it vigo.
roufly and heartily. jitierhury's Seimoia.
The afTertion is cur Saviour's, though uttered
by him in the perfon of Abraham the father of the
faithful; who, on the <rri rant of that charafler, is
very fitly introduced. Attcrbury.
Thele tribunes kindled great dilTenfions between
the nobles and the commons, on the account of Co-
riolanus, a nobleman, wh^m the latter had im-
peached. Stvifi's Conlcfti in Athens and Rome,
Nothing can recommend itfelf to our love, on
any other account, but either as it promotes our
prefent, or is a means to alTurc to us a future Iiap-
pinefs. Rogers, Sermon v.
Sempronius gives 00 thanks on this account,
j^'dJifontCato,
J. A narrative, relation ; in this ufe it
may feem to be derived from cenie, f i .
a tale, a narration.
J. The review or examination of an affair
taken by authority ; as, the magiftrate
took an account ot the tumult.
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened
onto a certain king, which would take acccuni of
his fervants ; and when he had begun to reckon,
one was brought unto him, which owed him ten
thoufand talents. Matt, xix. 23, 24.
10. The relation and reafons of a tranfac-
tion given to a perfon in authority.
What need we fejr who knows it, when none
can call our power f) accour.t ? '
Shitkefpiare'i Macbeth,
The true ground of morality tan only be tlie
will and law of a Cod who fris men in the dark,
has in his hands rewards and punilhments, and
power enough to call to account the proudell offen-
der. Lccki,
11. Explanation; aflignment of caufes.
It is eafy to give account, how it comes to pafs,
that though all men defire bappinefs, yet their wills
carry them fo contrarily. Locke,
It being, in our author's arroonr, a right acquired
by begetting, to rule over thofc he had begotten, it
Wis not a power poflible to be inherited, becaufe
the right, being confequcnt to, and built on, an aft
perfedlly perfonal, made that power fo too, and
impoHible til be inherited. Locke,
iz. An opinion previoufly eftablinied.
Thefc were detigned to join with the forces at
fra, there being prepared a number of fiat-bo!tomed
boats to tranfport the land forces under the wing
of the great navy : for they made no account, but
that the navy Hiould be abfolutely mafter of the
fcas. Baccn't Conftdcrations on War luiib Spain,
A prodigal young fellow, that had fold his
clothes, upon the fight of a fwallow, made account
that fummerwas at band, and away went liis fliirt
too. L'Efirange, Fab, cxxvii.
13. The reafons of any thing colleftcd.
Being convinced, upon all account!) that tbey
A C C
had the fame reafon to believe the hiftoryof our
Saviour, as that of any other perfon to which they
themfelves were not aftually cye-witneffcs, they
were bound, by all the rules of hiftorical faith, and
of right reafon, to give credit to this billory.
Addifon,
14. In law.
Account is, in the common law, taken for a writ
or adion brought againft araan, that, by means of
office or bufincl's undertaken, is to render an <if-
ccunt unto anothe'r ; as a bailiff toward hismiiftcr,
a guardian to his ward. C-tvcf,
To Acco'uNT. -v, a. [See ACCOUNT.]
1 . To efteem, to think, to hold in opinion.
That alfo was accounted a land of giants. De/it.
2. To reckon, to compute.
Neither the motion of the moon, whereby
months are computed, nor the fun, whereby years
are accounted, conCfteth of who'e numbeis.
Bronvn's Vulgar Errours,
3. To affign to, as a debt ; with the parti-
cle to.
For fome years really accrued the yearly fum of
two hundred thoufand pounds to the king's cofi'er* :
and it was, in truth, the only projcdl that was ac-
counted to his own I'ervice. Clarendon,
4. To hold in efteem ; with of.
Silver was nothing accounted of in the days of
Solomon. • - Chrtin.
ToAcco'uNT. 1/. a.
1. To reckon.
The calendar months are likewlfe arbitrarily
and unequally fettled by the fame power; by
which months we, to this day, account, and they
meafure and make up, that which we call the Ju-
lian year. Holder on Time.
2. To give an account, to aflign the caufes ;
in which fenfe it is followed by the par-
ticle/t/r.
If any one (hould a(k, why our general conti-
nued fo eafy to the lad ? I know no other way to
account for it, but by that unmeafurable love of
wealth, which his bell friends allow to be his pre-
dominant paffion. Swift,
3 . To make up the reckoning ; to anfwer ;
withyir.
Then thou flialt fee him plung'd, when lead he
fears.
At once accounting for his deep arrears.
Vryd. fu-u. Sat. xiii.
They have no uneafy prefages of a future reckon-
ing, wherein the pleafures they now talle mud be
accounted for; and may, perhaps, he outweighed
by the pains which fliall tiien lay hold of them.
Alteibury's SermoK',
4. To appear as the medium, by which
any thing may be explained.
Such as have a faulty circulation through the
lungs, ought to eat very little at a time; becaufe
the increafe of the quantity of frelh chyle mtill
make that circulation Hill more uneafy ; which.
Indeed, is the cafe of confumptivc and fome afih-
matic perfon', and accounts for the fymptoms they
are troubled with after eating.
Arbuthnot on Aliment!.
Acco'uNTABLE. «<^'. [from «CfO«»/.] Of
whom an account may be required ; who
mult anfwer for : followed by the parti-
cle te before the perfon, and_/ir before
the t'hing.
Accountable to none.
But to my confciencc and my God alone.
Oldham,
Thinking themfelves excufed from (landing
upon their own legs, or being accountable for their
own condufl, they very feldom trouble themfelves
with enquiricf^, Locke on Education,
The good magiftrate will make no diftinftion ;
fir the judgment is God's; and he will look upon
himfelf as accountable at bis bar for the equity of
it, Attcrbury's Sermons,
Accot/'Nt ANT,<ti^'. [ftom account.} Ac-
D z countable
A C C
countable to; refponfible for. Not in
ul'e.
His offence is To, as it appurs
jtcamnttnt n the law upon tiiat pain.
Stakrff,. Mtaf.fvMiaf.
I love her too,
Not out oribfolute lull (though, peradventure,
J ftand acccuntant for as great a Tin)
But partly led to diet iry revenge.
Sbaifffeari'i Othtlls.
Acco'uNTANT. n. /. [See Accompt-
ANT.] A computer ; a man fciUcd or
employed in accounts.
The different compute ef divers dates ; thefliort
and irieconcilcable years of fome ; the exceeding
crrour in the natural frame of others ; and the
falfc deduAiona of ordinary orrwnr^nfi in molt.
Brown^s Vulgar Erroun,
Acco'uNT-BOOK. »./ A book Contain-
ing accounts.
1 would endeavour to comfort myfelf upon the
• lofs of friends, as I do upon the lofs of money ;
by turning to my account-book, and feeing whether
I have enough left for ray fupport. Sivifl.
Acco'dnting. n.f. [from account.] The
aft of reckoning, or making up of ac-
counts.
This method faithfully obfenrcd, muft keep a
man from breaking, or running behind-hand in
his fpiritual eftatej which, without frequent af-
(luitiing), he will hardly be able to prevent.
Sourb*t Sermons*
To Acco'uPLE. -v. a. [accoufler, Fr.] To
join, to link together. We now nfe
couple.
He fent a folemn embaflage to treat a peace
and league with the king; accoupimg it with an
article in the nature of a requeft.
Bacon's HcirjWl.
Tfl Acco'uRACE. f. a. [Ofafolete. See
Courage.] To animate.
That forward pair ihe ever would alTuage,
When they would ftrive due reafon to exceed ;
But that fame /roward twain vouM accouragi.
And of her plenty add unto her need.
Fairy Sluten, i. ii. c. 2.
To Acco'uRT. -v. a. [See To COURT.]
To entertain with courtfhip, or courtefy ;
a word now not in ufe.
Who all this while were at their wanton reft,
.^ccourting each her friend with lavirti feaft.
Fairy f^een.
To ACCOTTTRE. t,. a, laccouirer, Fr.]
To drefs, to equip.
Is it for this th«y ftujy ? to grow pale.
And niifs the plealurcs of a glorious meal f
For this, in rags accculred are they feen.
And made the May-game of the public fpleen ?
Dryden.
Acco'vrKEMEitT.ft./,[acecu/remeat,'Fr.]
Drefs, equipage, furniture relating to
the perfon ; trappings, ornaments.
I profefs requital to a hair's breadth ; not ojjly
in tht finr.plc office of love, but in all the accc-iire-
metst, complement, and ceremony of it.
Sbair/fearc's Merry If^mcs of lyinjfor.
Chtiftianity is loft among them in the trappings
and accoutrctncnrs of it; with which, infteid of
adorning religirm, they have ftrangelj difguifed it,
and quite ftifled it in the crowd of external rites
and ceremonies. Tillotfin, Sermon xxviii.
I have feen the pope officiate at St^ Peter's,
■where, for two hours tog':ther, he was bufied in
putting .in or off his different accoulrmntt, accord-
ing to die different parts he was to aft in them.
AeUlfon, Sfeaaii-T, N" 201.
How gay with all th' accoulrcmenis of war.
The Britons come, with gold well-fraught thev
come. p/,i/,
ACCRETION. »./ [accreii,, Lit.] The
A C C
a£l of ^rmving to another, fo ai to in-
creafe it.
Plants do nourifli ; inanimate bodies do not :
they have an accretion, but no alimentation.
Bac.ns Am. Hft. N" 6c2.
The charges feem to be eftcdcd by the exhaling
of the mo'fture, which may leave the tinging cor-
pufcles more denl'e, and fomcihing augmented by
the accretion of the oily and earthy parts of that
moifture. Nrwt'jn^s Ofttict,
Infants fupport abftinence worft, from the quan-
tity of aliment confumcd \r\ accretion,
Arhuthnot or Aliments.
Accre'tive. adj .[ftomaccretion.] Grow-
ing ; that which by growth is added.
if the motion be very (low, we perceive it not :
we have no fenfe of the accreiite motion of plants
and animals : and the fly fliadow fteals away upon
the dial; and the quickelt eye can difcover no
more but that it is gone. Glanville's Scepjis.
To ACCRO'ACH. -v. a. [accrocher, Fr.]
To draw to one as with a hook ; to gripe ;
to draw away by degrees what is ano-
ther's.
Accro'achment. tt.f. [ftom accroach.l
The aft of accroaching. DiS.
To ACCRU'E. "J. n. [from the participle
accru, formed from «f<Tc;/n», Fr.]
1. To accede to, to be added to ; as, a
natural produftion or efFeft, witliout any
particular refpeft to good or ill.
The Son of God, by his incarnation, hath
changed the manner of that perfonal fubfiftence ;
no alteration thereby accruing to the natu re of God .
Hooker, h. v. § 54.
2. To be added, as an advantage or im-
provement, in a fenfe inclining to good
rather than ill ; in which meaning it is
more frequently ufed by later authors.
From which compaft there ariling an obligation
upon every one, fo to convey his meaning, there
accrues alfo a right to every one, by the fame (igns,
to judge of the fenfe or meaning of the perfon fo
obliged to exprefs himfelf. Souths Sermons.
Let the evidence of fuch a particular miracle be
never fo bright and clear, yet it is ftill but particu-
lar ; and muft therefore want that kind of force,
that degree of influence, which accrues to a land-
ing general proof, from its having been tried or
approved, and confented to, by men of all ranks
and capacities, of all tempers and interefis, of all
ages and nations. Atterhury^s Sermons.
3. To append to, orarife from : as, an ill
confequence ; this fenfe feems to be lefs
proper.
His fcholar Arlftotle, as in many other parti-
culars, folikewifeinthis, did juftlyoppofcThim, and
"became one of the authors ; choofing a certain be-
nefit, before the hazard that might accrue from
the difrefpefts of ignorant pcrfons. Wilkins.
4. In a commercial fenfe, to be produced,
or arife ; as, profits.
The yearly benefit that, out of thofe his works,
accruetb to hermajefty, amounteth to one thoufand
pounds. Carcw^s Surv.
The great profits which have accrued to the duke
of Florence from his free port, have fet feveral of
the ftates of Italy on the fame fubjeft.
Addifon on Italy.
5. To follow, as lofs ; a vitious ufe.
The benefit or lofs of fuch a trade accruing to
the government, until it comes to take root in the
nation. Temp/e's Mifc.
Accuba'tion. n.f. [from «cfa*o, to lie
down to, Lat.] The ancient pofture of
leaning at meals.
It will appear, that aecukati^n, or lying down at
meals, was a gefture ufcd by very many nations.
Brcion^s yul^ar Errotirs,
T» Accu'.UD. 11. «. [<j«»«^o, Lat.] To
A C C
lie at the table, according to the ancient
maimer. Di3.
Accu'mbent. adj. \_accumbeni, Lat.]
Leaning.
The Roman recumbent, or, more properly, ac-
cumieni poftute in eating, was Introduced alter the
fird Punic wjr. Arhutbnot on Cans.
To ACCU'MULATE. f . a. [from accu-
mule, LaM] I'o heap one thing upon an-
other ; to pile up, to heap together. It
is ufed either literally, as, to accumulate
money ; or figuratively, as, to accumu-
late merit or wickednefs.
If thou doft (lander her, and torture me,
Never pray more ; abandon all rcmorfc;
On horrors head horrors accumulate ;
For nothing canft thou to damnation add.
Sbakejp. Otbttto.
Crulht by imaginary treafons weight.
Which too much merit did accumulate.
• Sir yobn Denbam*
Accumula'tion, tt.f. [from accumu-
late.]
1 . The aft of accumulating.
One of my place in Syria, his lieutenant.
For quick accumulation of renown.
Which he atchiev'd by th' minute, loft his favour.
Sbakefpearis Antony and Cleopatra^
Some, perhaps, might othcrwife wonder at fuch
an aciumulatiin of benefits, like a kind of embroi-
dering, or lifting of one favour upon anotlier.
2. The ftate of being accumulated.
By the regular returns of it in fome people, and
their freedom from it after the morbid matter it
exhaufted, it looks as there were regular accu-
mulations and gatherings of it, as of other hu-
mours in the body. Arhutbnot on Diet,
Accumula'tive. aJj. [from accumu-
late.]
1. That which accumulates.
2. That which is accumulated.
If the injury meet not with meeknefs, it then
acquires another accumulative guilt, and (Unds
anfwcrable not only for its own pofitive ill, but
for all tlie accidental, which it caufes in the fuf-
fcrcr. Government of tbe Tongue*
Accumula'tor. tt.f. [from accumulate.]
He that accumulates ; a gatherer or
heaper together.
Injuries may fall upon the paflive man, yet,
without revenge, there would be no broils and
quarrels, the great accumulators and multipliers of
injuries. Decay of Piety,
A'ccuRACY. »./. [accuratio,'L2.t.] Ex-
aftnefs, nicety.
This perfcil artifice and accuracy might have
been omitted, and yet they have made (hift to
move. Mort,
Quicknefs of imagination is feen in the inven-
tion, fertility in the fancy, and tbe accuracy in
the exprelfiun. Drydtx,
The man who hath the ftupid ignorance, or
hardened effrontery I to infult the revealed will of
God ; or the petulant conceit to turn it into ridi-
cule ; or the arrogance to make his own per-
feiltions the mcalure of the Divinity ; or, at beft,
that can collate a text, or quote an authority,
with an infipid accuracy ; or demonftrate a plain
ptopofition, in all formality; thefe now are the
only men worth mentioning. Dclatrj,
Wc confider the uniformity of the whole de-
fign, accuracy of the calculations, and (kill in re-
ftoring and comparing paO'ages of ancient au-
thors. Arhutbnot on Coins^
A'CCURATE. adj, [accuratus. Lat.]
1 . Exaft, as oppofcd to negligence or ig-
norance, applied to pcrlbns.
2. Exaft, without defeat or failure, ap-
plied to things.
No
A C C
A C C
ACE
No m«n living has made more aeewau tri-
als than Reaumurc, that brighteft ornament of
France.
3. Detern^iate ; precifely fixed.
Oljon.
Thole conceive the celef^ial bodies have more
accurate influences upon thefe things below, than
indeed they have but in grof.. Bacon,
A'ccuRATELV. Wi'. \_{Tom accurate.'^ In
an accurate manner ; exaifily, without
errour, nicely.
Tlie fine ot' incidence is either accurately, or
very nearly, in a given ratio to the fine of refrac-
tion. Ncwiii:.
That all thefe didances, motions, and quan-
tities of matter, ihould be fo accurately and
harmonioufly adjufted in this great variety of cur
fyllem, is above the fortuitous hitsof blind matrriul
caufes, and mufl certainly flow from that eterna.
fountain of wifdom. Bctttlry.
A'ccuR ATENESS. 11./. [itOBX occuraie.]
Exaftnefs, nicety.
But I'cmetimc after, fufpefting that in making
this obfervation 1 had nut determined the diame-
ter of the fphtrc with fu£cient accurater^fs, I re-
peated tiie experiment. N^nvton.
To Accv'rse. 'V. a. [See Curse.] To
doom to mifery ; to invoke mifery upon
any one.
As if it were an unlucky comet, or as if God
had fa accurjtd it, that it ihould never ihine to
give light in things concerning our duty any way
towards him. Htj'.kcr.
When Hildebrand accurfed and cart down from
his throne Henry IV. there were none fo hardy as
to defend their lord. Sir Walter Raliigh'i E£'ays.
Accu'rsed. fart. adj.
1, That which is curled or doomed to
mifery.
•Tis the moft certain fign the world's accurfi.
That the bed things corrupted are and word.
Drvbam.
2. That which deferves the curfe ; ex-
ecrable ; hateful ; detcKable ; and, by
confequence, wicked ; malignant.
A fwift blefling
May foon rettirn to this our luffcring country,
Under a hand accurt'd ! Sbakr'peare^t Machetb.
The chief part of tiie mifc,-y of wicked men,
and thofe accurfed fpiritn, the devi's, is this, that
they are of a difpofition contrary to God. Titiotjvn.
They, like the feed from which they (prung,
ttccurjiy
Againll the g >ds immortal hated nurO. Dryrlrn.
Accu'sABLE. adj. [fromtlie verb aecuji.]
That which may be cenfured ; blame-
able ; culpable.
There would be a manifed defeat, and Nature's
improvition were juftly accufai/e -, it animals, fo
fubjc^ unto difeafes from bilious caales, ihould
want a proper conveyance for chnler.
Sroivii'i Vulgar Errourt.
Accdsa'tiok. n./. [(rom accu/e.']
1. The aft of accufing.
Ihus they in mutual accujatioti fpent
The fruidefi hours, but neither felf- condemning.
And of their vain contcft appear'd no end. M'lli'^n,
2. The charge brought againft any one
by the accufer.
You read
Thefe acrufaihns, and thefe grievous crimes
Committul by your perfoo, and your followers.
Hhakefpeare.
Ail accujatiiti, in the very nature of the thing,
Aiil fuppofing, and being founded upon fome law :
frr where there is no law, there can be no tinnf-
greflion ; and where there can be no tranfgrefiijn,
1 am furc there ought to be no accufatien.
South,
3. [Ill the fenfe of the courts.] A decla-
jation of ibme crime preferred before a
competent judge, in order to infli£l fome
judgment on the guilty perfon.
Ayliff'e^s Parergon.
Accu'sATiVE. a<?Jr'. [accuj'atii'us, La.t.] A
term of grammar, fignifying the rela-
tion of the noun, on which the adlion
implied in the verb terminates.
Accu'sATORY. adj. [from accii/i.'\ That
which produceth or containeth an accu-
fation.
In a charge of adultery, the accufer ought to
fet forth, in the accu/atory libel, fome certain and
definite t'mc. Ayl'iffe.
To ACCU'SE. -v. a. [accu/o, Lat]
1. To charge with a crime. It requires
the particle 0/ before the fubjedl of ac-
cufation.
He ftripp'd the bears-foot of its leafy growth j
And, calling wcftcrn winds, accused the fpring of
floth. Drydeni Virgil,
The profcfibrs are accufcd cfM the ill prafljccs
which may (zzai to be the ill confequenccs of their
principles. Addijon.
2. It fometimes admits the particle_/or.
Never ftrnd up a k*g of a fowl at fupper, while
there is a cat or dog in the houfe, that can be ac-
cused f,.r run.iing away with it : But, if there
happen to be neither, you mutt lay it upon the rats,
or a llrange greyhound. Sviift,
3. To blame or cenfure, in oppofition to
applaufe or jullification.
'I'heir CDnfcieiiCe bearing witnefs, anJ their
thoughts the mean while accujing or elfe exculing
one another. Rem. ii. i 5.
Your valour would your floth too much accujc,
And therefore, like the;jfelves, they princes choofe.
VrydttCi Tyravrick Love.
Accv'sER. n. /. [from accuji,'] He that
brings a charge againft another.
There are fome perfons forbidden to be accuftrs,
on the fcore of their fex, as women ; others, of
their age, as pupils and infants ; others, Ujmn the
account of fome crimes committed by them ; and
others, on the fcore of fome filthy lucre they pro-
pofe to gain thereby j others, on the fcore of their
conditions, 3i libertines againli their patrons ; and
others, through a fufpicion of calumny, as having
once already given falfe evidence ; and, lailly,
others on account of their poverty, as not being
worth more than fifty aurei, Ayliffci Parcrgon,
—That good man, who dracic the pois'nous
draught,
With mind ferene, and could not wifli to fee
His vile accufer drank as deep as he. Drydcn.
If the perfon accufed maketh his innocence
plainly to appear upon his trial, the accufer is im-
mediately put to an ignominious death J and, out
of his goods and lands, the innocent perfon is
quadruply recompenfed. Guirrvers Travels,
To ACCU'STOM. t/. a. [acautumer, Fr.J
To habituate, to enure, with the par-
ticle to. It is ufed chiefly of perfons.
How fhali we breathe in other air
Lefs pure, accufiivt'd to immortal fruits ? Milton.
It iias been fome advantage to accuflitn one's
felf 10 books of the fame edition.
fVatts's Itnfrmemnt of the Mind-
To Acc'oSTOM. 11. /r. To be wont to do
any thing. Obfolete.
A boat over-freighted funk, and all drowned,
fav'ng one woman, that in her firft pepping up
again, which moft living things accuficjm, got holj
of the boat. Corciv,
Acco'sTOMAELE. adj. [from accujfom.l
Of long cuftom or habit j habitual,
cuftomary.
Animjls even of the fame original, extraftion,
and fpecies, may be divcrufied by accufiomabk re-
Hdeiicc Ul one clitnacc, from what they are in ano-
ther. Halt i Origin of Mankind.
adv. According to
AcCu'sTOMABLY.
cuftom.
Touching the king's fines accufiomahly paid for
the purchafing of writs original, I find no certain
beginning of them, and do therefore think that
they grew up with the chancery.
Bacon's Alienatien*
Accu'sTOMANCE. tt.f. \accoutumance, Fr.J
Cuftom, habit, ufe.
Through accufiomance and negligence, and per-
haps fome other caufes, we neither feel it in our
own bodies, nor take notice of it in others. Boyle.
Accu'sTOM ARiLY. Wi;. In a cuftomary
manner ; according to common or cuf-
tomary praftice.
Go on, rhetorick, and expofe the peculiar emi-
nency which you accufltmarily marflial before logic
to public view. Clcaveland.
Accu'sTOM AR Y. adj. [from accu/}om.'\
Ufual, praftifed ; according to cuftom.
Accu'sTOMED. adj. [from accujiom.'\ Ac-
cording to cuftom ; frequent ; ufual.
Look how Jhe rubs her hands. — Ic is an ac~
cuflomed atflion with her, to feem thus wafhing her
hands : 1 have known her continue in this a quar-
ter of an hour. Sbakefj^earis Macbeth.
AcE. n,/. [As not only fignified a piece
of money, but any integer, from whence
is derived the word ace, or unit. Thus
Aj fignified the whole inheritance. Ar-
huthnot on Coins, ]
I. An unit; a fmgle point on cards or
dice.
When lots are (huffled together in a lap, urn, ot
pitcher; or if a man bit.ijfold carts a die, what
reafon in the world can he have to prefume, that
he rtiall draw a white ftone rather than a black, or
throw an ace rather than a fife ? South.
I. A fmall quantity; a particle; an atom.
He will ni>t bate an ace of abfolute certainty;
but however doubtful or improbable the thing is,
coming from him it muft go for an indifputable
truth. Government of the Tongue.
I'll not wag an ace farther ; the whole world
fiiall not bribe me to it. Dryden^s Spanijh Friar..
Ac e'p H A LOUS .rJ(^'. [axi^aX®-, Gr.jWith-
out a head. Diff.
Ace'rb. adj. [aceriiis, hat.'] Acid, with
an addition of roughnefs, as moft fruits
are before they are ripe. ^incy,
Ace'rbity. n.f. [acerbitas, Lat.]
1. A rough four tafte.
2. Applied to men,^lharpncfs of temper j
feverity.
True it is, that the talents for criticifm, namely,
fmartnefs, quick cenfure, vivacity of remark, in-
deed all but acerbity, fccm rather the gifts of youth
than of old a^ic. Pope.
To ACE'RVATE. i-. a. [acervo, Lat.]
To heap up. Dia.
AtERVA'TI0^J. n.f. [from acer'vate.'\ The
aft of heaping together.
Ace'rvose. adj. Full of heaps. Diil.
AcE'iCENT. adj. [ace/cetts, Lat.] That
which has a tendency to fournefs or aci>
dity.
The fame perfons, perhaps, had enjoyed their
health as well with a mixture of animal dirt, qua-
lified with a fufticicnt quantity of acefccnts^ as^
bread, vinegar, and fermented liquors.
Arbutbnot on Aliments.
AcETo'sE. ai^'. That which has in it any
thing four. Di^.
AcETo'siTY. n.f. [from acito/e,] The
ftate of being acctoie, or of containing
fournefs. Di^.
Ace'tous. adj. [from actttim, vinegar,
Lat.]
A C H
Lat.] Having the quality of vinegar ;
four.
RiiuDS, which confid chiefly of the juice of
gripet, infpinated in the ikies or hulka by the
avoljcion of the fupeifluouimoiflure through their
pores, being dillillol in a retort, did not affurd
any vinous, but rather an acfteus fpirit. Boyte*
Ache. n./. [ac*. Sax. ax®'» G""- "O*^ ge-
nerally written ake, and in the plural
akes, of one fy liable; the primitive man-
ner being preferved chiefly in poetry,
for the fake of the meafure.] A con-
tinued pain. See Ake.
I'll rack thee with oM cramps;
Fill all thy bones with athes, make thee roar
That beajts Oiall tremble at thy din. Shaiefpeare.
A coming fliow'r your (hooting corns prelate,
Old acbci will throb, your hollow tooth will ra^e.
SioJj't.
To Ache, i: n, [See Ache.] To be in
pain.
Upon this account, our fcnfcs are dulled and
fpert by any extraordinary intention, and our very
eyes will actt, if long fixed upon any difficultly
difcerned object. GlanviUc.
To ACHI'EVE. f. a. [achever, Fr. to
complete.]
1. To perform, to finiQi a defign pro-
fpcroufly.
Our toils, my friends, are crown'd with furc fuc-
cefs I
The greater parf perform'd, acb'uve the lefs. Dryd*
2. To gain, to obtain.
Experience is by induftry, fffi/fvV,
And perfeflcd by the fwift coui fe of time. Shakeff.
Tranio, 1 burn, I pine, 1 pcrilh, Tranio,
If 1 atblevt not this young modcH gi:l.
Shakifpeare.
Thou haft achieved our liberty, conlin'd
Witliin helUgates till now. Miltcit,
Show all the fpoils by valiant kings achiev'J,
And groaning nations by their arms rcliev'd. Prior,
Achi'ever. »./. He that performs ; he
that obtains what he endeavours after.
A viftory is twice itfclf, when the achk-ver
brings home full numbers.
Sbaktfpeari: Much ado about Nctbing.
Achi'evement. »./. [ackevement, Fr.^
1. The performance of an adion.
From every coaft that heaven walks about.
Have thither come the noble martial crc'-v,
That/amous hard achievements dill purfuc.
Fairy ij^tf/rcff.
2. The efcutcheon, or enfigns armorial,
granted to any man for the performance
of great aflions.
Then (hall the war, and ftern debate, and ftrife
Immortal, be the bus'nefs of my life j
And in thy fame, the dufJy fpoils among,
High on the burniih'd roof, my banner (hall be
hung;
Rank'd with my champion's bucklers, and below,
With arms rcvers'd, th' atbicv^ments of the for.
Dr^iUti.
Achie-vemeiitj in the firft fenfe, is derived
■ from achienje, as it figiiifies to perform ;
in the fecond, from achieve, as it im-
ports to gain.
A'cHiNG. n.f. [(torn acbe.'\ Pain; un-
eafinefs.
When old age comes to wait upon a great and
worlhipful fmncr, it comes atiended with many
painful girdi and acbingt, called the gout. South.
A'CHOR. n.f. \ach6r, Lat. ix^^j, Gx.fur-
fur.^ \ fpccies of the herpes ; it appears
with a crully fcab, which caufc'- an itch-
ing on the furface of the head, occa-
fioned by a fait Iharp ferum oozing
through the fkin. ^lincy.
A C K
A'CID. at/J. [adJus, Lat. aciJt, Fr.] Sour,
{harp.
Wild trees laft longer than garden trees; and
In the fame kind, thole whofe fruit Is acij, mote
than thafe whofe fruit is fweet.
Baton's Natural Uifi'.ry.
jlcid, or four, prnceedj from a fait of the fame
nature, without mixture of oil ; in aufterc taftes
tl>e oily parts have not difentangled thenifclvcs
from the falts and earthy puts ; luch i> the t.iftc
of unripe fruits. Arhuthnot m Alimtrut.
Liquors and fubflances are called acidt, which
being compofed of pointed particles, aft'efl the
tafte in a (harp and piercing manner. The com-
mon way of trying, whether any particular liquor
hath in it any particles of this kind, is by mix-
ing it with fyrup of violets, when it will turn ot
a led colour; but if it contains alkaline or lixivia!
particles, it changes that fyrup green. Sluircy.
Aci'dity. n.f. [fromaaV.] The quality
of being acid ; an acid tafte ; iharpnefs ;
fournefs.
Filhes, by the help of a dilTolvent liquor, cor-
rode and reduce thei?~meat, (kin, bones, and all,
into a chylus or cremor ; and yet this liquor ma-
nifc'.s nothing of acidity to ihe tafte. R.y.
When the tafte of tlie mouth is bitter, it is a
fign of a redundance of a bilious alkali, and de-
mands a quite dilTerent diet from the cafe of aci-
dity or fournefs. Arhuthnii on Alimtr.n.
A'ciDNEss. »./ [fromof/V.] Thequality
of being acid; acidity. See Acid iry.
ACFDVLjE. n.f. [that is, aqua acitiuU.'\
Medicinal fprings impregnated with
ftiirp particles, as all the nitrous, chaly-
beate, and alum fprings are. ^incy.
The acidu/ar, or medical Iprings, emit a greater
quantity of their minerals than ufual ; and even
the ordinary fprings, which we-e before clear,
frelh, and limpid, become thick and turbid, and
are impregnated with fulphur and other mine-
rals, as long as the earthquake lafts.
fVcfodward^ s Natural H'jiory
To Aci'dulate. n). a. [acidukr, Fr.]
To impregnate or tinge with acids in a
flight degree.
A diet of frelh unfaltcd things, watery liquors
ac'dulatidf farinaceous emollient fubftances, four
milk, butter, and acid fruits.
Arhuthnot on Aliments.
To ACKNO'^VLEDGR. -v. a. [a word
formed, .is it feems, between the Latin
and Englifh, from cgnofco, and knoiti-
ledge, which is deduced from the Saxon
cnapan, to kno'w.'\
1. To own the knowledge of; to own any
thing or perfon in a particular cha-
racler.
My people do already known my miiid.
And will acknowledge you and JilTica,
In placcof lord Baffanioard niylelf. Sbaiijftare.
None tliat ackno^ckdge God, or providence.
Their fouls eternity did ever duubt. Davits.
2. To confefs ; as, a fault.
For I ackniKvltdgt my ttanfgreffions ; and my
(in is ever before me. fjalm li. 3.
3. To own ; as, a benefit ; fomctimes
with the particle to before the perfon
conferring the benefit.
His fpirit
Taught them; but they his gifts aeinowMg'd
not. Mihm.
In tbc'(irft place, therefore, I thankfully ac-
inmvltdge to the Almighty power the alTiftar.cc he
his given me in the beginning, and the profecu-
tion of my prefent ftudies. Dryder.
Ac KNo'wLE DOING, a.-lj. [from acknoiu.
ledge.] Grateful ; ready to acknowledge
benefits received. A Gallicifm, recon-
noiffant.
A C O
He has diewn his hero acimoviledging aod OR*
grateful, campa(ri >nate and hard-hearCed ; but, at
the bottom, fickle and fclf-intcrefted.
Drydcn's Vtrgil.
Ac K N o'wL E O c M E N T . n.f. [from acknoitt-
ledge.]
1. Conccffion of any charafter in ano-
ther ; as, exiftence, fuperiority.
The due contemplation of the human nature
doth, by a necelTary cortnexion and chain of
caufcs, carry us up to the unavoidable ackn&w..
ledgmnt of the Doitj- ; becaufe it carries every
thinking man to an original of every fucceffive in-
dividual. Hall's Origin of Maniind,
2. Conceflion of the truth of any pofl-
tion.
Immediately upon the acknowledgment of the
chriftian faith, the eunuch was baptized by Fhilip.
Uocier,
3. Confeflion of a fault.
4. Confeflion of a benefit received ; gra-
titude.
5 . Aft of atteflation to any conceflion ;
fuch as homage.
■i'hcre be many wide countries in Ireland, in
which the laws of England were never eftablilhed,
nor any acknonvhdgment of fubjcdlion made.
apenjcr's State ef Ireland,
6. Something given or done in confeflion
of a benefit received.
The fecond is an aeknototedgtntnt to his ma-
jefty for the leave of fi(hing upon his coafts ; and
though this may not be grounded upon any treaty,
yet, if it appear to be an ancient right on our fide,
and cuftom on theirs, not determined or cx-
tingui(hed by any treaty between us, it may with
juftice be iniifted on. lemflt's Mij'ccilanics, ■
J'CME. n.f. [i.,,,.,.,GT.'\ The height of
any thing ; more efpecially ufed to
denote the height of a diftcmper, which
is divided into four periods, i. The
arche, the beginning or firft attack.
2. Anahafis, the growth. 3. Acme, the
height. And, 4. Paracme, which is the
declenfion of the diftemper. i^iney.
Aco'i.OTHisT. n.f [azo^^fSiw, Gr.] One
of the lowelt order in the Romifti church,
whofe office is to prepare the elements
for the offices, to light the church, Wr.
it is duty, according to the papal law, when
the Vi(hop rii-igs mafs, to order all the inferior
clergy to appear in their proper hab'.ts ; and to Lc
that all the offices of the church he rightly per-
formed J to ordain the atolothiji, to keep the facred
velfels. Ayi.fe's Parirgon.
A'coLYTE. n.f. The fame with AcoLO-
THIST.
A'coN'iTE. n.f. [aeonitutn, Lat.] Properly
the herb wolfs-bane, but commonly ufed
in poetical language for poifon in ge-
neral.
Our land is from the rage of tygers freed.
Nor nourilhcs the lion's angry feed ;
Nor pois'nous aconite is here produc'd,
Or grows unknown, or is, »hcn known, refus'd.
Drjdtlh
Dcfpair, that aconite docs prove.
And certain death to others' iovc.
That poifon never yet withftood.
Does nouri(h mine, and turns to blood.
Granville.
A'coRK. n, /. [jEcepn, Sax. from ac, an
oak, and cojin, corn or grain ; that is,
the grain or fruit of the oak.] The feed
or fruit born by the oak.
Errour:., fuch as are but acorns in our younger
brows, grovi oaks in our older heads, and become
indexible. Brtvi*.
4 Content
A C CL
A C Q^
Content with food which nature freely bredi
On wildings and on ftrawbcrries they fed ;
Cornels and bi amble-berries gave the reft,
And falling actiriu furnifli d out a feaft.
Dryjen^s 0-vid,
He that is nouriflied by the aeoms he picked up
under an oak, or the apples he gathered from the
trees in tiie wood, has ceruinly appropriated them
to himfelf. Lotit.
A'cORNED. adj .\Jrom acorn.'] Storedwith
acorns.
Like a full acorn d boar> Shahefp<rare.
Aco'usTi CKS. ».yl [AxbiT<*,of iieaw, Gr.
to hear.]
r. The doftrine or theory of founds.
2. Medicines to help the hearing, ^iney.
To ACOyAl'NT. 1/. a. [accointer, Fr.]
1. To make familiar with; applied either
to perfons or things. It has luith before
the objeft.
We that acquaint ourfelves laith ev'ry zone,
And pafs the cropicks, and behold each pole ;
When we come home, arc to ourfelves unknown,
And unacquainted ftill with our own foul.
Dalits.
There •uiilh thee, new welcome faint.
Like fortunes may her foul acouaint, Milton,
Before a man can fpeak ■ n any fubjeft, it is
neceflary to be acjuainitd viitb it.
Locke on Education,
jlcauaint yourfelves luitb things ancient and
modern, natural, civil, and religious, domeftic and
national ; things of your own and foreign countries ;
and, above all, be well acfuainird viiih God and
yourfelve»; learn animal nature, and the workings
of your own fpirits. IVatti'i Lopck.
2. To inform. With is more in ufe before
the objeft than of.
But for fome other reafonj, my grave Sir,
Which is not fit you know, I not ac-jLaint
My father c/this bufinefs.
Sheiefpe!tre\ T-wtlJtb Night.
A friend in the cotintry acquaints nic, that two
or three men of the town are got among them, and
have brought words and phralcs, which were never
before in thofe parts. Tallir.
Acqu a'intakce. n.f. [accoiittance, Fr.]
1, The Bate of being acquainted with;
familiarity, knowledge. It is applied
as well to perfons as things, with the
particle "witb.
Nor was his arqaaintattce left w'ltb the famous
eoetsof hit age, than ■with the noblemen and ladies.
Dr,dc<i.
Our admiration of a famous man IclTens upon
our nearer acquaintance tcitb him ; and we feldon.
hear of a celebrated perfon, without a catalogue ol
iome DOtorioui weaknelTei and infirmitie*.
jiddifoti.
Would we be admitted into an acquaintance v^ith
God, let ut ftudy to re.''emble him. We muft be
partakers of a divine nature, in order to partake oi
this high privilege ar-d alliance. jiitertury.
2. Familiar knowledge, fimply without a
prepofition. _
Brave foldicr, pardon me.
That any accent breaking from mi^-tonguc.
Should 'Icape the true acquaintance of mine ear.
Sbaltejpejre.
This keept the underftanding long in convrrle with
ao objefl, and long converfe brings acquaintance.
Soutb.
In what manner he lived with thofe who were
of his neighbourhood and acquaintance^ how obli-
ging his carriage wat to them, what kind offices he
did, and was always ready to do them, 1 forbear
particularly to fay. Atierbury.
%. A flight or initial knowledge, fhort of
friendfhip, as applied to perfons.
I b'jpe 1 am pretty near feeing you, and there-
fore I would cultivate an acquaintance i becanfe if
you do oot know mc when we meet, yon need only
keep one of my letters, and compare it with my
face ; for my face and letters are counterparts of
my heart. Sivift to Pcfe.
A long noviciate of acquaintance ihould precede
the vows of friendlhip. Bolinghroke.
4. The perfon with whom we are ac-
quainted ; him of whom we have fome
knowledge, without the intimacy of
friendfhip.
In this fenfe, the plural is, in fome
authors, acquaintance, in others acquain-
tances.
But (lie, all vow'd unto the red-crofs knight,
His wand'ring peril clofcly did lament,
Ne in this new acquaintance could delight,
But her dear heart with anguilh did torment.
Fairy ^een.
That young men travel under fome tutor, I
allow well, fo that he be fuch a one that may be
able to tell them what acquoinfancei they are to
fcek, what exercifes ordifcipline the place yieldeth.
Bacon.
This, my lord, has juftly acquired you as many
friends, as tlicre are perfons who have the honour
to be known to you ; mere acquaintance you have
none, you have drawn them all into a nearer line j
and they wiio have converfedwith you, are for ever
after inviolably yours. Dryden.
We fee he isadianied of his neareft acquaintances.
* Bcylc againji B entity.
Acoyji'iNTZD. ac/J. [from acquaint.] Fa-
miliar, well known ; not new.
Now call we our high court of parliament ;
That war or peace, or both at once may be
As tiungs acquainted and familiar to us. Shakeff.
Acqjj e'st. n.J. [acquejl, Fr. irotaacquerir,
written by fome acquift, with a view to
the woid acquire, or acquijiia.] Attach-
ment, acquifltion ; the thing gained.
New acquifls are moreburdea than Itrcngth.
Bacon.
Mud, repofed near the oRea of rivers, makes
continual additions to the land, thereby excluding
the fea, and preferving thefe (hells as trophies and
figns of its new acquit and encroachments.
iyocdivard.
To ACOyi'ESCE. t;. n. [acquie/cer, Fr.
acqutejcere, Lat.] To reft in, or remain
fatisiied with, without oppofition or dif-
content. It has in before the objeft.
Others will, upon account of the receivednefs
of the propofed opinion, think it rather worthy to
b^ examined than acquifjctd in. Boyle.
Nc.thcr a bare approbation of, nor a mere wish-
ing, nor una^ive complacency in j nor, laftly, a
natural inclination to things virtuous and good,
can pafs before God for a man's willing of f'ucii
things i and, confcquently, if men, upon this ac-
count, will needs take up and acquitfce in an airy
ungrounded perfuafion, tiial they will thafe things
which really they not will, tlicy fall thereby into a
grofs and fatal delufion. South.
He hath empl'yed his tranfcendentwifdom and
power, that by thefe he might make way for his
benignity, at the end wherein they ultimately ac-
quiefce. Creiv.
Accjuie'scence. n./. [from euqtii,/ce.]
1. A filent appearance of content, dilUn-
guilhedon one fide from avowed confent,
on the other from oppofition.
Neither from any of che nobility, nor of the
clergy, who were thought moftaverfelrom it, tliere
appeared any llgn of coutradiOion to that; but an
entire acquiejcace in all the hiihops thought tit tn
do. Clarendon.
2. Satisfaftion, reft, content.
Many indeed have ^ivcn over their purfuits after
fame,either from di f ippointmcnt,or from experience
of the little picalurc which attends it, or the better
informations or natural c-^ldn-rfs of old age; but
fi'Idom from a full fatisfadtioii and acquicjance in
their prefent enjoymcntj of it. AdJifon,
A C Q^
3. Submlffion, confidence.
The grenteft part of the world take up their pcr-
fuafions concerning good and evil, by an implicit
faith, and a full acquiefcence in the word of tliofe,
who (hall rcprcfent things to them under thefe cha-
rafters. South.
AcQjri'RABLE. adj. [from acquire.] That
which may be acquired or obtained ;
attainable.
Thofe rational inlUnfls, the connate principles
engraven in the human foul, though they are truths
acquirable and deducible by rational confequence
and argumentation, yet fcem to be infcribed in the
very crafis and textuie of the foul, antecedent to
any acquifition by induftry or the exercife of ths
difcurfive faculty in man.
HaWs Origin of Mankind.
If the powers of cogitation and volition, and
fenfation, are neither inherent in matter as fuch,
nor acquirable to matter by any motion or modifi-
cation of it ; It necellarily follows, that they pro-
ceed from fome cogitative fubftance, fome incor-
poreal inhabitant within us, which we call fpirit
and fiul. Bcntley.
To ACC^I'RE. v. a. [acqiierir, Fr. ac-
quiro, Lat.]
1 . To gain by one's own labour or power ;
to obtain what is not received from na-
ture, or tranfmitted by inheritance.
Better to leave undone, than by our deed
Acquire too high a fame, while he, we ferve, 'a
away. Shakefp. Antony and Cleopatra,
2. To come to ; to attain.
Motion cannot be perceived without the percep-
tion of its terms, viz. the parts of fpacc which it
immediately left, and thofe which it next acquires.
Glan-ville^s Scepjis,
Acqv I'titD, farticip. adj. [irora acquire.]
Gained by one's felf, in oppofition to
thofe things which are beftowed by na-
ture.
We are feldom at eafe, and free enough from "
the f.)licitation of our natural or adopted defires ;
but a conftant fuccclfion of uneafintlfcs, out of
that ftock, which natural wants, or acquired habits,
have heaped up, take the will in their tuins.
Locke,
Acc^ui'rer. n.f. [from acquire.] The
perfon that acquires ; a gainer.
AcQj;i'REMENr.ff./ [iioaxacqicire.] That
which is acquired ; gain ; attainment.
The word may be properly uled in op-
pofition to the gifts of nature.
Thele his acquirements, by induftry, were ex-
ceedingly both enriched and enlarged by many
excellent endowments of nature.
H^tyivard on Edivard VI,
By a content and acquiefcence in every fpeciea
of truth, we embrace the fhadow theicof; or fo
much as may palliate itsjuft and fubftantial <:e-
quirements. Brcrwn^s Vulgar Errours,
It is very difficult to lay down rules for the ac-
quirement c.i a tafte. The faculty muft, in fome
deg,ec, be born with us. Addifon.
Acquisi'riON. n./, \_acquiJilio,'LsX,]
1 . The aft of acquiring or gaining.
Each man has but a limited right to the good
things of the world ; and the natural allowed way,
by "which he is to compafs the po/le(lion of tliefe
things, is by his own induftrious acquifition of
them. South.
2, The thing gained ; acquirement.
Great Sir, all acquifition
Of glory as of empire, here I lay before
Your royal feet. Denkani*s Sophy,
A ftate can never arrive to its period in a more
dcpl'irabic crifis, than when Ibme prince lies hover-
ing like a vulture to difmember Its dying carcali: ;.
by wliich means it becomes only an acquifition to
fome mighty monarchy, without hopes of a rcfur-
ireftioB. ^ S-wift^
Acqjii'bitivs,
A C Q^
Acqyi*«ITIVK. adj. [acqmjtlivtts, Lat.]
That whidi is acquired or gained.
He diej not in his aefuifitive buc in liis nativf
foil ; nature hcrfelf, as it were, claiming a Ana)
intercft in his btdy, when fortune had done with
him. IVaton.
Acqui'sT. n.f. [See AcquEST.] Ac-
quirement ; attainment ; gain. Not in
ufe.
His fervant he with new acquiji
Of true experience from this great cvrnf,
With peace and confolation hath difmift. MUtor..
To ACQUIT, v. a. [acquitier, Fr. See
Quit.]
I. Tofet free.
Nc do 1 with (for wi/hing were but vain)
To be acquit from my continual fmart ;
But joy her thrall for ever to remain.
And yield for pledge my poor captived heart.
Sfenjtr.
a. To clear from a charge of guilt ; to ab-
folve ; oppofed to condemn, either fimply
with an accufative ; as, the jury acquitted
him, or with the particles from or of,
which is more common, before the crime.
If I fin, then thou markeft me, and thou wilt
not acquit me from mine iniquity. ^oi, x. 14.
By the fuDVage of the moft and beft he is already
acquittedftai, by tbefencenceof fome, condemned.
Dryden,
He that judges, without informing himfelf to
the utmoft chat he is capable, cannot acquit iiim'
felf ©/"judging amifs. Locke.
Ncitlier do I refiedt upon the memory of his
majefty, whom I entirely atpi/f of my Imputation.
Swift,
3. To clear from any obligation.
Steady to my principles, and not difpirjted with
my affliilions, I have, by the blefling of God on
my endeavours, overcome all difficulties ; and, in
fome mealurc, acquitted mrfclf of the debt which
I owed the publick, when I undertook this work.
Dryden.
4. In a /imilar fenfe, it is faid. The man
hath acquitted him/elf luell i that is, he
hath difcharged his duty.
Acqjii'tment. n.f [from acquit.] The
ftate of being acquitted ; or ad of ac-
quitting.
The word imports properly an acquittiunt or dif-
tharge of a man upon fome precedent accufatlon,
and a full trial and cognizance of hit caufe had
thereupon. Souib,
^cquj'ttal. «./. In law, is a deliver-
ance and fetting free from the fufpicion
or guiltinefs of an offence.' Ccnuel.
The conllant defign of both thefe orators, was
to drive fome one particular point, either the con-
demnation or acquittal oi an accufed pcrfon.
Sivft.
To Acqui'ttance. I/, a. To procure an
acquittance ; to acquit j a word not in
prefent ufe.
But if black fcandal and fouI-facM reproach.
Attend the fcquci of your impofition.
Your mere enforcement (hall acquittance me
From all the impure blots and flalns thereof
Shakefj}care.
Acqui'ttance. n.f. [from acquit.]
I. tHc aft of difcharging from a debt.
But foon fliall find
Forbearance, no acquittance, ere day end
Juftice fliall not return, as beauty, fcorn'd.
Milton.
1. A writing teftifying the receipt of a
debt.
You can produce acquitlanca
For fuch a fum, from fpecial officers
Of Charles hit father.
Siiaicffeare'i Lfot't Labmr Loji.
A C R
They quickly pay their debt, and then
Take no acquittances, but pay again. Donne.
The fame man bought and fold to himfelf, paid
the money, and gave the acquittance, yirhuthnot.
A'cRE. n.f. [JEcjM, Sax.] A quantity of
land containing in length forty perches,
and four in breadth, or four thoufand
eight hundred and forty fquare yards.
Dia.
Search every acre in the high-grown field.
And bring him to our eye. Sbakefp. Kin^ Lear.
A'cRiD. adj. [acer, Lat.] Of a hot biting
tafte ; bitter ; fo as to leave a painful
heat upon the organs of tafte.
Bitter and acrid dift'cr only by the (harp particles
of the firft being involved in a greater quantity of
oil than thofc of the laft. j^rbutbnot on Aliments.
Acrimo'nious. adj. Abounding with
acrimony ; fharp ; corrofive.
If gall cannot be tendered acrimonious, and bitter
of itfelf, then whatever acrimony or amaritude
redounds in it, muH be from the admixtare oi
melancholy. Harvey on Conjuntptiom.
A'cRiMONY. n.f. [acrimenia, Lat.]
1 . Sharpnefs, corrofivenefs.
Thctu be plants that have a milk in them when
they are cut; as, figs, old lettuce, fow-thiftles,
fpurge. The caufe may be an inception of putre-
faflion : for thnfe milks have all :inacrimony, though
one Ihould think they Ihould be lenitive.
Sacen's Natural Hifttry.
ThechymilH define fait, from fome of its pro-
perties, to be a body fufible in the fire, congealable
again by cold into brittle glebes or crydaU, foluble
in water, fo as to difappear, not malleable, and ha-
ving fomcthing in it which affects the organs of
tafte with a fenfation of acrimony or fliarpnefs.
Arhutbnot,
2. Sharpnefs of temper, feverity, bitter-
nefs of thought or language.
John the Baptift fet himfelf, with much acri-
mony and indignation, to bafBe this fenfelefs arro-
gant conceit of theirs, wliich made them huff at
the doilrine of repentance, as a thing below them,
and not at all belonging to them. St/utb.
A'c R I T u D E . n. jf. [from acrid. ] An acrid
tafte ; a biting heat on the palate.
In green vitriol, with iti aftringent and fwectijh
taftes, is joined foute acritudct
Grcvj's Mujteum.
Acroama'tical. fl;^'. [aKjoao^t, Gr. I
hear.] Of or pertaining to deep learn-
ing ; the oppoiite of exoterical.
Acroa'ticks. n.f. [Axgoolixa, Gr.] Ari-
ftotle's leftures on the more nice and
principal parts of philofophy, to which
none but friends and fcholars were ad-
mitted by him.
Acro'nycal. adj. [from uic^0-, Jiimmui,
and >iy|, nox ; importing the beginning
of night.] A term of aftronomy, applied
to the ftars, of which the rifmg or fetting
is called acronycal, when they either ap-
pear above or fink below the horizon at
the time of funfet. It is oppofed to
cofmical.
Acro'nycally. ad<v. [from acronycal.]
At the acronycal time.
He is tempeltuous in the fummer, when he
rlfes heliacally, and rainy in the winter, when he
r\ie% acronycaily. Dryden,
A'crospire. n.f. [fromax^®' ando-B-ir^a,
Gr.] A fhoot or fprout from the end of
feeds before they are put in the ground.
Many corns will fmilt, or have their pulp turned
into a fubftance like thick cream ; and will fcitd
forth their fubftaucc in an acrojfirt^ Mortimer.
ACT
A'cROspiRED./ar/. adj. Having fprouts,
or having ftiot out.
For want of turning, when the malt is fpread
on the Hrior, it comes and fprouts at both ends,
which is called acrofjiircd, and is fit only for fwine.
Mortimer*
AcRo'ss. adv. [from a for at, or the
French a, as it is ufed in a traijers, and
crofs.] Athwart, laid over fomethinj
fo as to crofs it.
The harp hath the concave not along the ftringS|
but acrofs the ftrings ; and no harp hath the found
fo melting and prolonged as the IriQi harp.
Bacon.
This view'd, but hot enjoy' J, with arms acrofr
He Hood, reflecting on his country's lofs. Dryden*
There is a fet of urtizans, who, by the help of
feveral poles, which they lay acoji each ochers
Ihoulders, build thcmfelv.'-i up into a kind of pyra-
mid j fo that you fee a pile of men in the air of four
or five rows rifing one above another, Addifcn.
AcRo'sTiCK. n.f [from ixf®- and rt%®'»
Gr.] A poem in which the firft letter
of every line being taken, makes up
the name of the perfon or thing on
which the poem is made.
ACRO'STICK. adj.
I. That which relates to an acroftick.
z. That which contains acrofticks.
Leave writing plays, and chnofe for thy command
Some peaceful province in acnjlick land :
There thou may'ft wings difplay, and altars raife.
And torture onepoor'word ten thoufand ways.
Dryden.
J'CROTERS, or ACROTE'RIA. n. f
[from ait^ot, Gr. the extremity of any
body.] Little pcdeftais without bafes,
placed at the middle and the two ex-
tremes of pediments, fometimes fervihg
to fupport rtat.ues.
To ACT. T. n. [ago, aQum, Lat.]
I. To be in action, not to reft. '
He hangs between in duubt t> aH or re/l. Ftpe,
z. To perform the proper funftions.
Albe't the will is not callable \}t beifvg compelled
to any of its actings, yet it is cipable of beii^
made to a^ with more or lefs d)6iculiy, according
to the different impreiUons it rcceiy^s from motives
or objeils. South,
3. To pradllfe arts or duties ; to condud
one's felf.
"I'is plain that (he, wljo for a kingdom now*
Would facrifice her love, and break her vovii.
Not out of love, but intereft, acts alanc.
And would, ev'n in my arms, lie thinking o( a
throne. Dryden i Cvnquejl of Granada.
The defirc of happinefs, and the conftrainc it
ptits upon us to afl for it, no body accounts an
abridgment of liberty. Locke.
The fplendor of his office, is the token of that
facred character which he inwardly bears : and
one of thefe ought conlbntly to put him in mind
of the other, and excite him to afl up to it, through
the whole courfe of his adminiftration.
Atterhury'"! Sermons,
It is our part and duty to co-operate with this
grace, vigoroufly to exert thofe poweis, and a^ up
to thofe advantages to whi^h it rciiaies us. He
has given eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame.
Rt'^crs's Sermcns.
4. To produce efFefts in fome pafli ve fubjedl.
Hence 'tis we wait the wond'rous caufe to find
How body a^s upon impalTive mind.
Garth^s Difpenfary.
The ftomach, the intcftines, the muftles of, the
lower belly, all ad upon the aliment; befides, the
chyle is not fucked, but fqueezed into the mouths
of the la£teals, by the action of the fibres of the
■ guts. Ariulhnot en Aliments,
Tc Act. -v, t,.
I. To
ACT
t. To bear a borrowed charsifter; m, a
flage-player.
Honour and fliamc from no condition rife ;
j^a well your part, there all the honour lies. Pete.
t. To counterfeit ; to feign by aaion. ' '
His forrner trembling once again renew'd,
ACT
VVi^th aff^ fear the villain thus purfuM. D.yrler
|. To aduate ; to put in motion ; to re-
gulate the movemeats.
Moft people in the world are affej by levity and
humour, i>y ftrange and irrational changes. South.
I erhj.rs they are as proud as Lucifer, as cove-
tous as Demas, as falfe as Judas, and, in th-
whole courfe of their converfation, aiJ, and a,e
*ctcd, not by devotion, but defign. South
We fuppofc two diftina, incommunicable con-
fcoufneires^ffi^; the fame body, the one ccn-
ftantly by day. the other by night ; and, on the
other fide, the lame confcioufcefi aaing by inter-
vals two diftinfl bodies. '' ' ^^^^^
Act. n./. [aSum, Lat.]
I. Something done ; a deed ; an exploit,
whether good or ill.
A lower place, not well.
May make too great an aa :
Better to leave undone than by our deed
Acquire too high a fame.
-. r ■ Stahfp. Ant. and Cltopatra.
Ike confcious wretch mud all hisaS. reveal ■
toth to confefs, unable to conceal ;
From the firft moment of his vital breath,'
To his lift hour of unrepenting death. Drfdcn.
Z. Agency ; the power of producing an
effecl. "
I will try the forces
Of thcfe thy compounds on fuch creatures at
We count not worth the hanging ; but none human :
1 o try the vigour of them, and apply
Allayments to their aa ; and by them gather
T heir feveral virtues and efteas.
. « cv- , , Staktfffare': Cjmlelm.
3. ALtion ; the performance of exploits ;
produiSion of effefta.
'Tis fo much in your nature to do good, that
your lilc IS cut one continued a^ of placing benefits
on many, as the fun i. always carrying his light to
fome part or other of the world. DryJ„', FabU,.
Wh:,forth from nothingcall'd thit comely frame.
His will and aa, his word and work the fame.
4. The doing of fome particular tiling Ta
llep taken ; a purpofe executed.
Ihiia.'? perfuadesme,
I hat thi« remotion of the duke and her
Is praaicc only. Stak.jfur,-, Kl„g Lt^r.
5. A (late of reality ; effeft.
_ The feeds of herb- and plants at the firft jre not
in ^a, but in poffibility, that which they after-
wards grow to be. 'o. ,
_ Cod alone excepted, who aSually and everlaft-
irgly I, wha:foever he may be, and which cannot
hereafter be that which now he is not: all other
things befides are Ibmewhatin Foflibllitv, which as
yet they are not in «c>. ' y/^^^,,..
Sure they're confcious
Of fome intended mifchief, and are fled
To put It into «a. D,nh^m\ Sophy.
b. Incipient agency; tendency to an effort
Her legs were bulkin'd, and the left before.
In aa to ihoct ; a filver bow Ihc bore. DryJcr.
7. A part of a play, during which the ac-
tion proceeds without interruption.
Many never doubt but the whole condition re-
quired by Chrift, the repentance he came to preach,
will, m that lad fcene of their laft aa, imme-
dutely before the exit, be as opportunely and ac-
ceptably performed, at at any other point of their
V^ .a • » ,. "'■'^"""l'' Fu„damntali.
•■iveaffsarejuft the mealure of a play.
8. A decree of a court of joAice, iTedirt
of a legiflature.
Vol. I.
i They make ediftr for uftrv to fuppsrt ofurers,
repeal daily any wiiolcfome a'a eftablifti-J againit
, the nch, and provide more piercing flatutcs daiK
to chain up aid refliaia the pcor.
Shakrfitare's Corial.iru!.
You that are k,ng, though he do«-car the crown,
Have caus'd hi.-n, by new aa of parliament,
1 0 biot out me. Shak.-rper.r,'! Ihrry VI.
9. Record of judicial proceedings.
_ Judiciul aas are all thole matters wliith relate to
judicial proceedings ; and being reduced into wi-
ting by a public notary, are recorded L-y the autho-
rity of the judge. ^y;j^_
A CTioN. ;,./. [aawn, Fr. aalo, Lat.]
1. The quality or ilate of aaing, oppoiite
to rcjl. . o rr
O nolle Englifli ! that could entertain
With half their forces the full power of France •
And let another half (land laoahing bv, '
All out of work, and cold for aaLn. '
SbaUfpsare'i Henry V.
2. An aft or thing done ; a deed.
This aaion, I now go on,
Is for my better grace. Shak-fpem'i fTmter! Ta/e.
God never accepts a good inclination inrtead ot
a good oaicn, where that aahn may be doi'e • nay
fo much the contrary, that, if a good inclination
be not feconded by a good affion, the want of that
aascn IS made fo much the more criminal and in-
excufable. t ,
A . iiutb.
3. Agency, operation.
It i» better, therefore, that the earth fliouJd
move about its own center, and make thofc ufeful
vic.ffitudes of night and day, than expofe always
the fame fide to the aahn of the fun. BcntUy
He has fettied laws, and laid down rules, con-
formable to which natural bodies are governed in
their aar.ni upon one another. Cbeyne.
+. The feries of events reprefented in a
fable.
This aaion fhould have three qualifications.
*irft, it Liould be but one aah„; fccondly, it
fliould be an entire aaion; and, thirdly, it ihould
be a great a<f?wii. /iti-r
V Oelficulation ; the accordance of the
motions of the body with the words
fpoken; a part of oratory.
™~"f '''?' ^P"''^ <■'"'' 8''P<= 'he hearer's wrift,
While he t.iat hears makes fearful aaioH
With wrinkled brows. Slai^fp. Khr Jch„.
_Our orators are obf.-rved to make ufc of Icfs
gefture or aaioa than thofe of other countries.
&. [In law.] It is ufed with the prepifi-
tion againfl before tlie perfon, and/»r
before the thing.
Aakns are pcrfonal, real, and mixt ; aakn per-
fonal belongs to a man againji another, by reafon
of any eontrjft, offence, or caufe, of like force
with a contraa or oftcnce made or done by him or
fome other, for whofe faft he is to anfwcr. Anion
rral IS given to any man agairji another, that pof-
lefTcs the thing required or fued for in his own
name, and no other man's. Aakn mixt, is that
which hes as well againfi or for the thing which wc
feek, as agawjl the perfon that hath it ; called
m,xi, bccaufc it hath a mixt refpcft both to the
tiling and to the pcrfjn.
Aakn Is divided into civil, penal, and mixt.
Aa,on civil It that which tends onlv to the reco
very of that which is due to us ; as a fum of mo-
ney formerly lent. Aaion penal is that which
aims at fome penalty cr puniihment in the party
fucd, be it corporal or pecuniary: as, in comra.n
li*,', '"'=,""'' '"''"''' °f » man felonioufly flain
fiiall purfuc the law agahjl the murderer. Aahn
mixt IS that vthich fceks both the thing whereof
wc are deprived, and a penalty alfo for the uriuft
dctJiningof the fame.
Aahn upon the cafe, it an aahn given for redrcfs
of wrongs done without force again/} my man, bv
law not fpecially provided for. '
Aahn vp^n the flaiute, is aa aahn brought
oZ^mfi a man iipon breach of a ftatute. Crwcll.
ACT
Th;.-e was never mm could have a jailer aahn
mamfi fii:hy tjnunc than 1, fmce, jll other thiojit
being granted mc, her blindnefs is the only lett.
Sidney.
For our reward then,
Fir/1,.311 our debts arc paid ; dangers of law,
Aa:onz, decrees, jujgraentj, againfi us quitteJ.
7. In the plural, in France, the fame as
flocks in England.
A'cTiOKABLE. a^^ [^vom. c.3ion.] -That
wnich admits aa aftion in law to be
brought againft it ; punidiable.
His procels was formed ; whereby he was found
guilty ot nought ehc, that I could learn, which
was aa-tovMe, but of ambition.
-, , . Homel's Vccal Forcff.
No man 3 face is aaionabJe : thefe finguUrities
jire interpretablelVom more innoccntcaufes. CoHier,
AcTioNARy,orA'cTiONisT.».y: [froin
aaio„.] One that lias a fhare in e,aio,„
or flocks.
A'cTioN-TAKiNC. a,fj . Accuftomed to
refent by means of law ; litigious.
A knave, a rafcal, a filthy worfted-ftockin?
Knave ; a lily-liver'd aSkn-t^king knave. Shakefp.
Actita'tion. „./ [from a^ita, Lai.]
Aftion quick and frequent. Dia.
To A'cT.iwATE.'u.a. [i'lom aai-ve.] To
make adlive. This word is perhaps
ufed only by the author alleged.
As fnowand ice, eCpecially being hojpen, and
theircold aa:i,ai.-d by nitre or fait, will turn water
into ice, and that in a few hour.; fo it may be.
tinTe '"™ *"'"' °' "'^"''''y '""" '*='"=> '" 'oVr
- ^ ' Bacon.
Active, ac^j. [aai-vus. Lit.]
I. That which has the power or quality of
afting. '
Thele particles have not only a vis ineriiar, ac.
compamed with fuch pafiive laws of motion, at
naturally refult from that force, but alfo they are
moved by certain aaim principles, fuch as is that
of gravity, and that which caufes fermentation,
and the cohrlion cf bodies. AWi/te', Opticks.
2. Ihat which afts, oppofed to pafTtve, or
that which fufFers. ^ ■"
—When an even flame two hearts did touch,
Mis omce was indulgently tn (it
Aaivti to palTives, corrcfpondencr
Only his fubjedl was. ' r>„.
It you think that, by multiplying the adUita-
ments in the fame proportion that jou multiply the
ore, the woik will follow, you may be deceived;
for quantity in the paflive will add more rdilUnce
than thequantity in the affiw will add force. Bacn.
3. ^ufy, engaged in aflion ; oppofed to
idle or fedentciry, or any ftate of which
the duties are performed only by the
mental powers.
'Tis vii tuous aaion that muft pralfe bring forth.
Without which, flow advice is little worth j
,pf jn=y wlio «ive good counfel, praife defervr,
Iho intheaaw part they cannot fcrve. Denham.
4. rraftical ; not merely theoretical.
_ The world hath had in thefe men fiefli expe-
rience,howdangcrousfuchaW-:.,errorsare. i/«,ir^
5. Nimble; agile; quick.
Some bend the ftubborn bow for Tiflory •
And fome with darts tbcirafl«,r finews try. ir, dni
o. In grammar. ^
A verb aaive it that which fignifies aftion, as
^ '""''• Cl'rke-, Latin Grammar.
•
AcTivELT. ad-v. [from aaive.] In an
aftive manner ; bufily ; nimbly. In an
aaive fignification j as, tbe ivcrJ is u/td
aa'fvely.
A'cTivENEss. n.f. [fromfl<?;W.] The
quality of being aftivc ; (^uicknefs ;
^ nunbjenefs.
ACT
A C U
ADA
nimbUnefs. This is a word more rarely
ufed than aSi-vity.
Whit (Irange agility and efUvenifi do our com-
mon tumblers and dancen on the rap: attain to, by
continual nercifc ! Hnikini'i Math. Mogick.
AcTi'viTY. n.f. [from aSi've,'] The qua-
lity' of being aftive, applied either to
things or perfons.
Salt put to ice, as in the producing of the artifi-
cial ice, increafeth the aB'rviiy of cold. Bacon,
Our adverfary will not be idle, though we are ;
he watches every turn of our foul, and incident of
our life ; and, if we remit our alirvity, will take
advantage of our indolence* Rogers,
A'cTOR. n.f. [a£lor, Lat.]
1 . He that afls, or performs any thing.
The virtues of either age may correft the de-
fers of both : and good for fuccelTion, that young
meo may be learners, while men in age are aSon,
Bacon.
He who writes an Eneomium Nentih, if he docs
It heartily, is himielf but a tranfcript of Nero in
his mind, and would gladly enough fee fuch pranks,
as he was famous for, a^ed again, though he dares
n jt be the aHor of them himfelf. South.
2. He that peribnates a charafler ; a ftage-
player.
Would you have
Such an Herculean after in the fcene.
And not tliis hydra ? They mud fweat no lefs
To fit their properties, than t' exprcfs their parts.
Ben Jonjon,
When a good aEior doth his part prefent,
In every adl he our attention draws,
That at the lall he may find juH applaufe. Dtnbam.
Thefe falfe beauties of the ftage arc no more lad-
ing than a rainbow ; when the aClor ceafes to (bine
upon them, they vanilh in a twinkling.
Drydtri'i Spamjh Friar.
A'cTRESS. n.f. [a3rice,¥r.']
1. She that performs any thing.
Virgil has, indeed, admitted Fame as an aflreji
in the jSnciJ ; but the part flic ails is very fljort,
aiid none of the mod admired circumdances of
that divine work. Addijrji,
We fprights have juft fuch natures
We had, for all the world, when human creatures ;
And therefore I that was an alireft here.
Play all my tricks in hell, a goblin there. Drjden.
2. A woman that plays on the ftage.
A'cTUAL. adj. [aiiuel, Fr.]
I. That which comprifes aAion.
in this Aumbry agitation, befides her walking
and dther aliual performances, what, at any time,
have you heard her fay ? Shakeffeare'i Macbeth.
X. Really in aft ; not merely potential.
Sin, there in pow> before
Once afhial; now in body, and to dwell
Habitual habitant. Milton.
J. In aft ; not purely in fpeculation.
For he that but conceives a crime in thought,
Contrafts the danger of an aSual fault :
Then what mud he expe3, that dill proceeds
To finifli fin, and work up thoughts to deeds }
Drydirt,
Actua'lity. n./. [from a^aW.] The
ftate of being adual.
The a&ualiiy of thefe fpiritual qualities is thus
. impiifoned, though their potentiality be not quite
defttoyed j and thus a crafs, extended, impenetra-
ble, psffive, divifible, unintelligent fubdance is
gener.ited, which we call matter. Cheyne.
A'ctually. aJv. [froma^W.] In afl;
in elfeft ; really.
All mankind acknowledge themfclvcs able and
fufficient to do many things, which aHaally they
never do. Scuth.
Read one of the Chronicles, and you will think
j-ou were reading a hidory of the kings of Ifrael or
Judah, where the hiftorians were aflnj//)) infpired,
and where, by a particular fchcme of providence,
lilt lunga were diOinguiflted by judgmeats or blef-
fings, according as they promoted idolatry. Or the
worlhip of the true Cod. jiddifon.
Though our temporal profpeSs fliould be full of
danger, or though the days of forrow fhould aSual/y
overtake us, yec ftill we mud repofe ourfelves on
God. Rogers.
A'ctualness. »./ [from a^ual.] The
quality of being aftual.
A'ctuarv. «./. [a{luarius, Lat.] The
regifter who compiles the minutes of the
proceedings of a court ; a term of the
civil law.
Suppofe the judge fliould fay, that he would
have the keeping of the afls of court remain with
him, and the notary will have the cudody of them
with himfelf : certainly, in this cafe, the aBuary
or writer of them ought to be preferred. Aylife.
A'cTUATE.a*^'. [from the verb Toa£iuaie.'\
Put into action ; animated ; brought
into efFeft.
The ailive informations of the intelled, filling
the padivc reception of the will, like form clofing
with matter, grew aSiuate into a third and didind
perfeftion of practice. South.
To A'CTUATE. "w. a. [from ago, aHum,
Lat.] To put into aflion ; to invigo-
rate or increafe the powers of motion.
The tight made by this animal depends upon a
living fpirit, and feems, by fome vitaJ irradiation,
to be actuated into this ludre.
Brnvns Vulgar Errours.
Such is every man, who has not actuated the
grace given him, to tlie fubduing of every reigning
fin. Decay of Piety.
Men of the greated abilities are mod fiied with
ambition j and, on the contrary, mean and nar-
row minds are the lead actuated by it. jlddifin.
Our padions are the fprings which actuate the
powers of our nature. Rogers.
AcTuo'sE. adj. [from fliS.] That which
hath ftrong powers of adion : a word
little ufed.
To A'cu ATE. I), a. [acuo, Lat.] To Ihar-
pen, to invigorate with any powers of
fharpnefs.
Immoderate feeding upon powdered beef, pic-
kled meats, and debauching with drong wines, do
inflame and acuate the blood, whereby it is capaci-
tated to corrode the lungs. Harvey in Ccnfumfiions.
Acu'leate. ai(/. [acu/eatus, Lat.] That
which has a point or fting ; prickly ;
that which terminates in a ffiarp point.
JCU'MEN. n.f. [Lat.] A (harp point ;
figuratively, quicknefs of intellefts.
The word was much affefted by the learned
Aridarchus in common convcrfation, to fignify
genius or natural acumen. ' Pope.
Ac u'm I n at e d. particip. adj. Edding in
a point ; fharp-pointed.
This is not acuminated and pointed, as in the
red, but feemeth, as it were, cut ofl^.
Ero^vns Vulgar Errours.
I appropriate this word. Noli me langere, to a
fmall round acuminated tubercle, which hath not
much pain, unlefs touched or rubbed, or cxafpe-
rated l)y topicks. IViJeman.
ACU'TE. adj. [acutus, Lat.]
1 . Sharp, ending in a point ; oppofed to
obtu/e or blunt.
Having the ideas of an obtufe and an acute an-
gled triangle, both drawn from equal bafes and be-
tween par.illels, I can, by intuitive knowledge,
perceive the one n.)t to be the other, but cannot
that way know whether they be equal. Locke.
2. In a figurative fenfe applied to men ;
ingenious ; penetrating ; oppofed to
dull OTjiupid.
The acute and ingenious author, among many
vef^ fine thoughts, and uncommon fefle^ions, has
liartcd the notion of feeing all things inCod. Lxke.
3 . Spoken of the fenfes, vigorous ; power,
ful in operation.
Were our leufes altered, and madehiuch quicker
and acuier, the appearance and outward fchcme of
things would hjve quite another face to us. Locke.
4. Acute difeafc. Any difeafe, which is
attended with an increafed velocity of
blood, and terminates in a few days ;
oppofed to chronical. ^incy.
5. Jlcute accent ; that which railes or
fliarpens the voice.
kcv'-rzLY. ad'v. [from af»/*.] After an
acute manner ; fliarply : it is ufed as
well in the figurative as primitive fenfe.
He that will look into many parts of Afia and
America, will find men reafun there, perhaps, at
acutely as himfcif, who yet never heard of a fyl-
logifra. Locke.
Acu'teness. n.f. [from acute, which fee.]
1. Sharpnefs.
2. Force of intelledls.
They would not be fo apt to think, that there
cou'd be nothing added to the acutenefs and pene-
trat on of their underdandings. Locke.
3. Quicknefs and vigour of fenfes.
It eyes fo fiamed could not view at once the
hand and the hour-plate, their owner could not
be benefited by that a.utenefs; which, whild it
difcovered the fecret contrivance of the machine,
made him lofe its ufe. Locke.
4. Violence and fpeedy crifis of a malady.
We apply prefent remedies according to indi«
cations, refpefling rather the acutenrfs of the dif-
eafc, and precipitancy of the occafion, than the
rifing and letting of dars. Brown,
5. Sharpnefs of found.
1 his acutsnefs of found will fliew, that whild,
to the eye, the bell feems to be at red, yet the
minute parts of it continue in a very briflc motion,
without which they could not drike the air. Boyle.
Adkct to. participial adj. [adaiSus, Lat.]
Driven by force ; a word little ufed.
The verb adai3 is not ufed. Dia.
A'dage. ».y. [adagium, hit,'] A maxim
handed down from antiquity ; a proverb.
Shallow unimproved inctUe£is, are confident
pretenders to certainty; as if, contrary to the
adage, fcience had no friend but ignorance.
Glamille's Scepjis Scienti/ica»
Fine fruits of learning ! old ambitious fool,
Dar'd thou apply that adage of the fchool.
As if 'tis nothing worth that lies conceal'd,
And fcience is not fcience till reveaPd ? Dryden.
JDjTGIO. n.f. [Italian, at leifure.] A
term ufed by muficians, to mark a flow
time.
A'DAMANT. n.f. [adamas, Lat. from »
and ixfitu, Gr. that is inj'uperable, in-
frangible.']
1 . A ftone, imagined by writers, of im-
penetrable hardnefs.
So great a fear my name amongd thrm fpread.
That they fuppos'd I could rend bars of dcel.
And fpurn in pieces podsof <:</iin<»i/. Shaiefpcare,
Satan, witli vad and haughty drides aJvanc'd,
Came tow'ring, arm'd in adamant and gold.
Miltm^
Eternal Deities,
Who rule the world with abfolute decrees.
And write whatever time fliall bring to pafs.
With pens of adamant, on plates of brafs. Dryitn»
2. The diamond.
Hardnefs, wherein fome doncs exceed all other
bodies, and among them the adamant all other
doncs, being exalted to that degree thereof, that
art in vain endeavours to counterfeit it, the fac-
titious doncs of chymids, in imitation, being,
eafily detefled by an ordinary lapiJid.
Ray on the Creation,-
3 . Adamant is taken for the loadilpne.
Yon
ADA
ADD
ADD
Yoa draw me, you hard-hearted ajamant !
But yet you draw not iron j for my heart
is true as fteel. Shahfptare.
Let him change his lodging from one part if
the town to another, which is a great adamant of
acquaintance. Saccn.
Adamante'an. adj. [from adamant. '\
Hard as adamant.
He weapor.lefs himfelf,
. Made arms ridiculous, ufelefs the forgery
Of brazen ihleld and fpear, the hammered cuirafs,
Chalybean temperM ftcci, and irock of mail
Adair-antcan proof- M.Ucn.
This word occurs, perhaps, only in
this paffage.
Adama'ktine. adj. \adamantinut, Lat.]
1. Made of adamant.
Wide is the fronting gate, and raisM on high
With adamatil'uu columns, threats the (ky.
Drydtn,
2. Having the qualities of adamant; as,
hardneis, indifrolubility.
Could Eve's weak liand, extended to the tree,
\a (Under rend that adamanune chain,
Whofe golden links, eftcfts and caufes be.
And which to Cod'i own chair doth fix'd remain ?
Davtti,
An eternal flerility mud have poflefled the
world, where all things had been fixed and faft-
ened everlaftingly with the adamantine chains of
fpeciiic gravity ; if the Almighty had not fpoken
and faid, Let the earth bring forth grafs, the herb
\ieldlng feed, and the fruit-tree yielding fruit after
Its kind ; and it was fo. Bentlry,
In adamantine chain? ihall death be bound.
And hell's grim tyrant feel th' eternal wound.
Pofe.
Tho' adamantine bonds the chief redraln,
The dire rettraint his wlfdom will defeat.
And fjon reftore him to his regal f;at. Pcpe.
A'dam's-apple. a./ [in anatomy.] A
prominent part of the throat.
To ADA'PT. -v. a. [adapto, Lat.] To fit
one thing to another ; to fuit ; to. pro-
portion.
'Tis true, but let it not be known,
My eyes are fomewhat dimmilh grown ;
For nature, always in the right,
To your decays adafts my fight. Svoift.
It is not enough that nothing offends the ear,
tut a good poet will adaft the very founds, as well
as words, to the things he treats of.
Pope^t Letters.
Adapta'tiok. 71./. [from adaft.'\ The
aft of fitting one thing to another ; the
Atnefs of one thing to another.
Some fpecies there be of middle natures, that
is, of bird" and beaft, as batts ; yet are their parts
fo fet together, that we cjnnot define the begin-
ningor end of cither, tliere being a commixtion of
both, rather than adaftaikn or cement of the one
unto the other. Bn-wn't fulgar Errcun.
Adhefinn may be in part afcribed, either to
fome elartxji motion in the prelTed glafs, or to
the exquifite /u/afiation of the almoft numberlcfs,
though vrry fmall, afpcrities of the one, and the
numerous little cavil es of the other; whereby the
furfjccs do :ock in with one another, or are, as it
were, clafped t geiher. £tn/e.
Aoa'ption. It./, [from adaft.] The aft
of fitting.
It were aLne a fufficVnt work to (hew all the
necfflii es, the wife contrivances, and prudent
edafti'.m, of thefe admirable machines, for the
benefit of the whole. Cbcynt,
Ada'ptness. n.f. {(OT adaptedne/sfitom
adapt.]
.SoiT.e notes are to difplay the ajaptnefi of the' '
found to the fenfe. ' Dr.' Ntiuun.
This wor4 I have found no where
elfe.
To Adco'rporate. -v. a. [from ad and
corpus.] To unite one body with an-
other ; more ufually wrote accorporate ;
which fee.
To ADD. ni. a. [addo, Lat.]
1. To join fomething to that which was
before.
Mark if his birth makes any d'fference,
If to his words it adds one grain of fenfe. Dryden.
They, whofe mufes have the higheft flown.
Add not to his immortal memory,
But do an adt of friendrtiip to their own. Hoyden.
2. To perform the mental operation of
adding one number or conception to
another. To add to is proper, but to
add together feems a folecifm.
Whatloever pcfitive ideas a man has in his mind,
of any quantity, he can repeat it, and add it to the
former, as eafily as he can add together the ideas ot
two days, or two years. Locke.
A'ddable. adj. [from add.] That to
which fomething may be added. AS-
dible is more proper. It fignifies more
properly that which may be added.
The firll number in e^ery addition is called the
addable number, the other, the number or num-
bers added, and the number invented by the addi-
tion, the aggregate or fum. Cocker.
To Adde'cimate. -v. a. [addecimo, Lat.]
To take or afoertain tithes. Dii3.
To Adde'em. 1/. a. [from deem.] To
efleem ; to account. This word is now
out of nfe.
She fcorns to be addtem'd fo wortblefs-bafe,
As to be mov'd to fuch an infamy.
Banters Civil Wars.
A'dder. tt.f. [iErcep, JErzoy^, Nabbjie,
as it feems from eirtep. Sax. poifon.]
A ferpent, a viper, a poifonous reptile ;
perhaps of any fpecies. In common
language, adders zxsd./nakes are not the
fame.
Or is the adder better than the eel,
Becaufe his painted Ikin contents the eye ?
Sbakefpeare.
An adder did it ; for, with doubler tongue
Than thine, thou ferpent, never adder tlung.
Shakefpeare.
The adder teaches us where to ftrike, by her
curious and fearful defending of her head. Taylor.
A'dder's-crass. n.f. The name of a
plant, imagined by Skinner to be fo
named, becaufe ferpents lurk about it.
A'dder's-tokgue. n. f. \ophiogloffum,
Lat.] The name of an herb.
It hath no vifible flower ; but the feeds are
produced on a fpike, which refembles a ferpcnt's
tongue ; which feed is contained in many longi-
tudmal cells. Miller,
The moft common fimples are comfrey, bugle,
agrimony, fanicle, paul's-betony, fiuellin, peri-
winkle, adder" s-tongue. ffijiman's Surgery.
A'dder's-wort. a./. An herb fo named,
on account of its virtue, real or fup-
pofed, of curing the bite of ferpents.
A'ddible. adj. [from add.] PoiTible to
be added, SeeAuDABLE.
The cleared idea it can get of infinity, Is the
confufed, incomprehenfible remainder of cndlefs,
addible numbers, which affords no profpedt of
ftop, or boundary. Locke.
Addibi'lity. »./. [from addiik.] The
poffibility of being added.
This endlcfs addition, or addibiliiy (if any one
like the word better) of numbers, \o apparent to
the mind, is that which gives us tlic clearell and
mofl didin^ idea of-infinity. Locke.
A'oDiCE. a,/, [for which we corruptly
fpeak and write adz, from abej"e. Sax.
an axe.]
The addice hath its blade made thin and iomiim
what arching. As the axe hath its edge parallel
to its handle, fo the addice hath its edge athwart
the handle, and is ground to a bafil on its infide to
its outer edge. Moxcn's Meihaiiical Exercifes.
To ADDI'CT. -v. a. [addico. Lat.]
1. To devote, to dedicate, in a good
fenfe ; which is rarely ufed.
Ye knew the houfe of Stephanus, that they
have addicted themfelves to the miniftry of the
faints. I Cor. xvi. 1 5.
2. It is commonly taken in a bad fenfe ;
as , he addidcd himfelf to ■■vice.
3. To devote one's felf to any perfon,
party, or perfuafion. A Latinifm.
I am neither author or fautor of any fe£t '. I
will have no man addiEl himfelf to me ; but if I
have any thing right, defend it as truth's.
Ben Jonfon,
Addi'ctedness. n. f. [from addiiled.]
The quality or ftate of being addifted.
Thole know how little I have remitted of my
former addiHednefs to makechymical experiments.
Boyle*
Addi'ction. n.f. [addiaio, Lat.]
1. The aft of devoting, or giving up.
2. The ftate of being devoted.
It is a wonder how his grace Ihould glean it.
Since his addition was to courfcs vain j
His companies unletter'd, rude, and Ihallow;
His hours fiU'd up with riots, banquets, fports.
Shakefpeare.
A'dditament.»./ [additamentum, Lat.]
The addition, or thing added.
Iron will not incorporate with brafs, nor other
metals, of itfelf, by fimple fire : fo as the enquiry
muft be upon the calcination, and the additamentj
and the charge of them. Ba^cn.
In a palace there is firft the cafe or fabiick,
or moies of the ftrufture itfelf; and, befides that,
there are certain additamcnts that contribute to its
ornament and ufe ; as, various furniture, rare
fountains 9nd aquedudis, divers things appendi-
cated to it. Hale's Origin of Mankind.
Addi'tion. 11./. [from add.]
1. The aft of adding one thing to another;
oppofed to diminution. '
The infinite diftance between the Creator and
the nobieft of all creatures, can never be meafured,
nor exhauftcd byendlefs addition of finite degrees.
Bentky .
2. Additament, or the thing added.
It will not be modeftly done, if any of our
own wifdom intrude or interpofe, or be willing to
make additions to what Chrift and his apoftlet
have defigned. Hammond.
Some fuch refcmblances, methinks, I find
Of our lad evening's talk, in this thy dream.
But with addition ftrange ! Mi/ten.
The abolifhing of villanagc, together with the
cuftom permitted among the nobles, of felling
their lands, was a mighty addition to the power. of
the commons. ^ Swi/i.
3. In arithmetick.
Addition is the reduflion of two or more num-
bers of like kind together into one fum or total.
Cocker's Arithmetick.
4. In law, A title given to a man over
and above his chrillian name and fur-
name, fhewing his ellate, degree, oc-
cupation, trade, age, place of dwelling.
Cewel/,
Only retain
The name, and all th' addition to a king ;
The fway, revenue, execution,
Beloved fons, be yours ; which to confirm,
Thii coronet part bctweeo you. ■
Siakefp, King Lear,
£ z Frow
ADD
From this time,
For wh»t he did before Corioli, call him,
With all th' applaufe and clamnurof the hoft,
Caius Marcius Coriolanus. Bear th' aJdii'aa no-
bly ever. Shaktfpteris Ccrielanus.
There arofe new difputes upon the perfons
named by the king, or rather againft the aJJilm.s
and appellations of title, which were made to their
names. Clarendon.
ADDi'xiONAL.fl/^'. {(lom aJditioB.'] That
- which is added.
Our kalendar being once reformed and fct
right, it may be kept fo, without any confider-
able variation, for many ages, by omitting one
leap-year; i. e. the addiiioiial day, at the end of
every 1 34 years. thlder en Tune.
The greateft wits, that ever were produced in
one age, lived together in fo good an undetftand-
ing, and celebrated one another with fo much ge-
neroCty, that each of them receives an addiiknal
luftre from his «otemporaries. , Add'ifcn.
Thty include in them that very kind of evi.
dence, which is fuppofcd to be powerful : and do,
withal, afford us fevcral other addiiknal proofs, of
great force and clearnefs. Ailertury.
Addi'tional. n.f. Additament ; fome-
thing added. Not in ufe.
May be fome little adJitkr.al, may further the
incorporation. Bacon.
A'dditory. adj. [from arid.'] That
which has the power or quality of add-
The ajdilory fi^ion gives to a great man a
larger (hare of reputation than belongs to him, to
enable him to fcrve fome good end or purpr.fe,
j^rLutbnot.
A'DDLE. adj. [from abel, a difeafe. Sax.
according to Skinner and Junius ; per-
haps from ybel, idle, barren, unfruit-
ful.] Originally applied to eggs, and
fignifying fuch as produce nothing, but
grow rotten under the hen ; thence
transferred to brains that produce no-
thing.
There's one with truncheon, like a ladle,
That carries eggs too frefli or addle ;
And fiill at random, as he goes.
Among the rabble rout beftows. HuJiirat.
After much folitarinefs, fading, or long fick-
jiefs, their brains were addle, and their bellies as
empty of meat at their heads of wit.
Burton on Melancholy.
Thus far the poet ; but his brains grow addle:
And all the reft is purely from this noddle.
Dryden.
7'e A'ddle. V, a. [from addle, adj.] To
make addle ; to corrupt ; to make bar-
Ten.
This is alfo evidenced in eggs, whereof the
found ones fink, and fuch as are addled fwim; as
do alfo tbofe that are termed byfanewitc, or wind,
eggs. Brm>n''s Vulgar Errours.
T<> A'ddle. v. n. To grow ; to increafe.
Obfolete.
Where ivy embraceth the tree very fore.
Kill ivy, elfc tree will addle no more.
7uJ}ir^i Hujhardry.
A'ddle - PATED. adj. Having addled
brains. See Addle.
F'oor Daves in metre, dull and addle-fated.
Who rhyme below even David's pfalms traiiflatcd.
Dryden.
To ADDRE'SS. v. a. [addreffer, Fr. from
derefar. Spaa, from dirigo, direSum,
Lat.]
1 . To prepare one's felf to enter upon'any
a£lion ; as, he addrejfed bimfelf to the
•viiork. It has to before the thing.
With him the Palmer eke, in habit fad,
)ciiai%M addreft It that advCDCure hard.
fmrjf S^et
ADD
It lifted up its head, and did adirefi
Itfetfrc motion, like at it would fpcak.
Siakeff. Hamlet.
Then Turrut, from his chariot leaping light,
jiddrefi'd bimfelf on foot Co fingle fight. Drydrn.
2. To get ready ; to put in a ftate for
immediate ufe.
They fell direillyon the Englifli battle ; where-
upon the earl of Warwick addrejfed his men to
take the flank. Hay-ward.
Duke Frederick hearing, how that every day
Men of great worth reforted to this foreft,
Addreji'd a mighty power, which were on foot.
In his c.wn condudt purpofcly to take
His brother here. Shakrffeare'i Atyou like it.
To-night in flarflcur we will be your gueft.
To-morrow for the march we are addrifl.
Sbakeffeare.
3. To apply to another by words, with
v.irious forms of conftruftion.
4. Sometimes without a prcpofition.
To fuch I would addrtfi with this moft affec-
tionate petition. Decay of Piety.
Among the crowd, but far above the reft.
Young Tu^nus to the beauteous maid addrtjl.
Dryden.
Are nat your orders to addrcji the fenate .'
Addifon.
5. Sometimes with to,
ylddriJJ'.ng to I'ollio, his great patron, and him-
fclf no vu'gur poet, he began to affert his native
character, which is fublimity. Dryden.
6. Sometimes with the reciprocal pro-
noun ; as, he addrejfed him/elf to the ge-
neral.
7. Sometimes with the accufative of the
matter of the addrefs, which may be
the nominative to the paffive.
The young hero had addrejjcd his ^ray^rs to
him for his afljftance. Dryden.
The prince himfelf, with awful dread pofiefs'd.
His vo-ius to great Apollo thus addrejl. Dryden.
His fuitwjs common ; but, above the reft.
To both the brother-princes thus addrtjl. Dryden.
8. To addrefs [in law] is to apply to the
king in form.
'1 he rcprefentatives of the nation in parlia-
ment, and tiie privy-council, addrtfs^d the U.\n^ to
have it recalled. S'U'ift,
Addre'ss. n./. \addreffe, Fr.]
1. Verbal application to any one, by way
of perfuafion ; petition.
Henry, in knots involving Emma's name.
Had halfconfefs'd and half conceal'd his flame
Upon this tree ; and as the tender mark
Grew with the year, and widen'd with the bark,
Venus had heard the virgin's foft addrefs.
That, as the wound, the paflion might increafe.
Prior.
Moft of the perfons, to whom thefe addnjjci
are made, are not wife and ficilful judges, but are
influenced by their own finful appetites and paf-
Jions. fVatts^s Improvement of the Mind.
2, Courtfliip.
They often have reveal'd their paffion to me :
But, tell mc, whofe addrefs thou favcur'ft moft 3
I long to know, and yet 1 dread to hear it.
Addifen.
A gentleman, whom, I am furc, you yourfelf
would have approved, made his addrej/es to me.
Mdi_kn.
3; Manner of addrefling another; as, we
fay, a man of an happy or a pleafing ad-
drefs ; a man of an aiuktuard addrefs.
4. Skill, dexterity.
I could produce innumerable inftances from my
own obfervation, of events imputed to the pro-
found Ikill and addrefs of a miniftcr, which, in
reality, were either mere effefls of negligence,
wcaknefs, humour, paflion, or pride, or at beft
but the natural coiufe of tbines left to Uiemfelves.
Sviift.
A D E
5. Manner of direfting a letter; afcnfe
chiefly mercantile.
Addre ssER. »./. [horn addrefs.] The
perfon that addrcfl'es or petitions.
A D d u't E N T . adj. [adducens, Lat.] A word
applied to thofe mufcles that bring for-
ward, clofe, or draw together the pans
of the body to which they are annexed.
^incj.
To AoDu'LCE.-f. a. [addoucir, Fr. dukis,
Lat.] Tofweeten : a word not now in ufe.
Thus did the French cmbafladors, with great
fliew of their king's affeftion, and many fugared
words, feek to addulec all matters between the two
kings. Bacon s Henry y II.
A'dei.inc. n.f. [from asbel. Sax. ill uf.
trious.] A word of honour among the
Angles, properly appertaining to the
king's children : king Edward the Con-
felTor, being without iflue, and intend-
ing to make Edgar his heir, called him
adeling. Cttivdl.
Adeno'craphy. n.f. [from aor.rc and
yra.^iD, Gr.] A treatife of the glands.
A D e'm p T 1 o N . n.f. \adimo, ademptum, Lat.]
I'aking away ; privation. DiS.
Ade'pt. n. f. [from adeptus, Lat. that is,
adeptus artem.] He that is completely
/killed in all the fecrets of his art. It
is, in its original fignification, appro-
priated to the chymiils, but is now ex-
tended to other artills.
The prefervation of chaftity is eafy to true
adepts. Pope*
Ade'pt. adj. Skilful; throughly verfed.
If there be really fuch adept philolophers as we
are told of, I am apt to chink, that, among their
arcana, they are maders of extremely potent mcn-
ftruums. Beyle.
A'dequate. <z(^'. \_adeqi!atus,'L2iX.] Equal
to ; proportionate ; correfpondent to, fo
as to bear an exadl refemblance or pro-
portion. It is ufed generally in a figu-
rative fenfe, and often with the particl»
to.
Contingent death feems to be the whole ade-
quate objcti of popular courage ; but a neceflary
and unavoidable coflSn ftrikes palenefs into the
ftouteft heart. Harvey on Conjumptienf.
The arguments were proper, adequate, and fuf-
ficienc to compafs their refpeflive ends. South*
All our fimple ideas arc adequate ; becaufe^
being nothing but the effcdts of certain powers in
things, fitted and ordained by God to produce
fuch fenfations in us, they cannot but be corref-
pondent and adequate to thofe powers. Locke,
Thofe are adequate ideas, which perfeflly repre-
fent their archetypes or objefis. Inadeijiiate are
but a partial, or incomplete, reprefcntation of
thofe archetypes to which they arc referred,
ffatts's L'pck.
A'DEqvATthY. ad'v. [from adejuate.]
1. In an adequate manner; with juilnefs
of reprefcntation ; with exaftncfs of pro-
portion.
Gratitude confifts adequately in thefe two things >
firft, that it is a debt; anJ, fecondly, that it it
fuch a debt as is left to every man's ingenuity,
whether he will pay or no. South,
2. h is ufed with the particle to.
Piety is the necelTary Chrifiian virtue, propor.
tioned adequately to the omnifcicnce and fpicitu-
ality of that infinite Deity.
Hammcntts Fundamentals,
A'dequateness. n.f. [from adequate."^
The llate of being adequate ; juftncfs of
reprefentation ; exaftnefs of proportion.
Adespo'tick.
Adsspo'tick.
defpotick.
r» ADHE'RE. -v
1. To ftick to :
A D H
adj. Not abfokte
with to before the thing.
; not
Dm.
n, \adhttreo, Lat.]
as, wax to the finger;
to be
3. To ftick, in a figurative fenfe ;
confiftent ; to hold together.
Why every thing adhirci together, that no dram
of a fcrup'.e, no'fcrjple of a fcniple, no incredu-
lous or unfarc citcumftancc—
btiikeffeare'i T-.velfib Niglt.
3. To remain firmly fixed 10 a party, per-
fon, or opinion.
Good gentkmcn, hehzthmuch talk'd of you ;
And fur; I am, two men there are not living.
To whom he more adheres, Sbaiefp, Ham/et,
Every man of lenfe will agree with me, that
Angularity is laudible, when, in contradiftion t >
a multitude, it adbtres to the dictates of con-
fclence, morality, and honour. Boyle,
Adhe'rence. n, f. \ivova. adhere .'\ See
Adhesion.
1. The quality of adhering, or (licking;
tenacity.
2. In a figurative fenfe, fixednefs of mind ;
fteadinefs ; fidelity.
The tirm adherence of the Jews to their religion
IB no Icfs temarlcabie than their dilperiian ; conii-
dering it as pcrfccuted or contemned o\cr the
whole earth. Add'iJQn.
A conftant adherence to one fort of diet may
have bad cC'cdls on any conflitution.
jlrbulbr.'jt on j^/imerts.
Plain good fenfe, and a Arm adbtrtnee to (he
point, have proved m'Te effectual than tliole arts,
which are contemptuoufly called the fpirit ot re-
gociating. Sviif:.
Adhe'rency. n.f. [The fame with W-
herence.^
1. Steady attachment.
2. That which adheres.
Vices have a nat.ve adbertncy of vexation.
Decay tf Piety.
Adhe'rcnt. adj. [bom adhert,'\
1. Sticking to.
Clofe to the cliff with both his hands he clung.
And ftuck adheyertt, and fufpended hung. Pife.
2. United with.
Modes are f:iid to be inherent or adherent, that
is, proper or improper. Adhereitt or improper
modes arifc from the joining of fome accidcntil
fubftdncc to the chief fubjecl, which yet may be
feparated from it; fo when a bowl is wet, or a
boy is clothed, thefe are aJhereni modes; for the
water and the clctbes are difllndl t'ubllances which
adhere to the bowl, or to tA : boy. /frt/.'j'j Logick.
Adhe'rent. n.f. [hovn adhere.']
1 . The perfon that adheres ; one that fup-
ports the caufe, or follows the forluue
of another ; a follower, a partifan.
Princis muft give proteftion to their fubjefls
and aHiereaii, vihca worthy occalion /hall re<juire
it. Rate'i^h.
A new war mull be undertakcji upon the advice
of thofe, wh", with their partifans and adf erertif
wer« to be the fole gainers by it. iiivift.
2. Any thing outwardly belonging to a
perfon.
When they cannot fliake the main fort, they
mull try if they can pnffefs thcmfelves of the
outworks, raife fome prejudice againll his difcie-
tion, his humour, his ca riage, and his cttniific
etdhtrerti. Government cf the Tongue.
Adhe'rer. a./, [from adhere.] He that
adheres.
He on lit to be indulgent to tender confcicncfsi
bur, at 'he fiinc timr, a firm adherer to the efta-
blirt.'d cliurch. Sivifi.
Ad he's ION. n./. [adhef/io, Lat.]
1. The aft or ftatc of flicking to fome-
8
A D J
thing. Adhefion is generally ufed in the
natural, and adherence in the metapho-
rical fenfe : as, the adhejton of iron to the
magnet ; and adherence of a client to his
patron.
Why therefore may not the minute parts of
other bodies, it they be conveniently shaped icx
adbeji'tny ftick. to one another, as well as ftick to
this ipiric ? Boyk,
The reft corfifting wholly in the fenfible con-
firmation, as fmooth and rough 5 or elfe more,
or lefs, firm adhcjion cf the parts, as hard and
fofc, tough and brittle, are obvious. Locke.
■ — Prove that all things, on occafionj
Love union, and defire adbcfion* Prior,
2. It is fometimes taken, like adherence,
figuratively, for firmnefs ia an opinion,
or Ileadinefs in a practice.
The fame want of Iincerity, the firae adbeficn
to vice, and averfion from goodnefs, wilt be
equally a reafon for their reje^ing any proof
whatfoevcr. yitterbury,
Adhe'sive. adj. [from adhefion,'] Stick-
ing ; tenacious.
It" flow, yet fure, adbeji've to the tra£V,
Hot-fteaining «p, Thomfon*
To ADHl'BIT. o/. a. {adhibeo. Lat.] To
apply ; to make ufe of.
bait, a neccfiary ingredient in all facriiices, was
adhibited and required in this view only as an em-
blem of purification.
Prefdint Forbei'i Letter to a Bijhal>.
Adhibi'tion. n.f. [hoxnadhibit.] Ap-
plication ; ufe. Z);V?.
Adja'cency. n.f. [from adjaceo, Lat.]
1. The ftate of lying clofe to another thing.
2, That which is adjacent. See Adja-
cent.
Becaufe the Cape hath fea on both fides near
it, and other lands, remote as it were, equi-
dillant from it ; tliercforc, at that point, the
needle is nut diltiatled by the vicinity of adja-
eenciet, Bro^vn^s yulgjr Erroun.
Adja'cikt. adj. [adjaceits, Lat.] Lying
near or clofe ; bordering upon fomc-
tbing.
It may corrupt within Itfelf, although no part of
it iffue into the b dy adjacent. Bacin.
Uniform pellucid mediums, fuch as water, have
no fenfible refle^i.n but in their external fuper-
ficies, where thzy are adjacent to other mediums
of a different dcolity. Netuton,
Adja'ce^it. tt.f. That which lies next
another.
The fcBfe of the author goes vilibly in its own
train, and the words receiving a determined fenfe
from their companions and adjacenti, will not
confcnt to give countenance and colour to what
muft be fupported at any rate. Locke.
Adiaphorous, adj. [aJiaSoiJi©-, Gr.]
Neutrnl ; particularly ufed of fomefpirits
and falts, wldch are neither of an acid
or alkaline nature. ^incy.
Oui- adiaphoroiit fpirit may be obtained, l^y dif-
tilling the liquor that is afforded by woods and
divers other bodies. Beyle.
AotA'tHORY. n.f. [aJia^ojia, Gr.] Neu-
trality ; indifference.
To ADJE'CT. 1/. a. [adjicio, adjeHum,
Lat.] To add to ; to put to another
thing.
Adje'ction. n.f. [adjeOio, Lat.]
1. 'I'he aft of adjefting, or adiling.
2. The thing adjefted, or added.
That unto every poufd of fulphur, an adjeSlion
of jne ounce of qaickfiiVfr j or unto every pound
of pctre, one ounce of lal-amm' niac, will much
int-nd the force, and confequently the rrport, J
fijid no verily. Bnwn'i f^ulgar £rreuri.
A D J
Adjecti'tious. ac^. [from ad/e<3ioH.']
Added ; thrown in upon the reft.
A'djective. n.f. [adjeBi'vutn, Lat.] A
word added to a noun, to fignify the ad-
dition or feparation of fome quality,
circuraftance, or manner of being ; as,
good, bad, are adjeBi'vei, becaufe, in
fpeech, they are applied to nouns, to
modify their fignification, or intimate
the manner of exiftence in the things
flgnified thereby. Clarke's Latin Gram,
Ail the verf:iica*ion of Claudian is included
within the compafs of four or five lines ; perpetu-
ally clofing his lenfe at the end of a vcrfe, and that
vcrf; commonly which they call golden, or two
fubltantivcs and two adjtclirjes, with a verb betwixt
them, to keep the peace. Dryden,
A'djectively. ad'v, [from adjeili've.]
After the manner of an adjeftive ; a
term of grammar.
Adieu', adv. [from a Bieu, ufed ellipti-
cally for a Dieu je "vous commende, ufed
at the departure of friends.] The form
of parting, originally importing a com-
mendation to the Divine care, but nonf
ufed, in a popular fenfe, foipetimes to
things inanimate ; farewell.
Ne gave him leave to bid that aged fire
Adieu, but nimbly ran her wonted courfc.
Tairy Slucen,
Ufe a mor^ fpacious ceremony to the noble
lords; you reflrained yourlelf within the lift of
too cold an ad.eu ; he more expreffive to them.
Shake' fenre's W//"i •zueli ibat ends welf.
While now 1 take my laft adieu.
Heave thou no figli, nor ihed a tear ;
Left yet my half-clos'd eye may view
On earth an objedt worth its care. Priori
To Adjo'in. i». a. \_adjoindre, Fr. ad-
>afo, Lat.]
1. To join to ; to unite to ; to put to.
As one who long in populous city p.'nt
Forth ifiuing on a fummcr's morn to breathe
Among the pleafant villages and farms
Adjoind, from each tliiag met conceives delight.
Milton*
Correftions or Improvements fliould be as re-
marks adjoin/d, by way of note or commentary,
in their proper places, and fupcradded to a regular
trcatife. IVjus.
2. To fatten by a joint or junfture."
As a malfy wheel
Fixt on the fummit of the higheft mount.
To whofe huge fpoke ten thoufand leffer things
Are mortis'd and adjoined, Shakej'feare,
To Adjo'in. v, n. To be contiguous to ;
to lie next, fo as to have nothing be-
tween.
Th' adjoining fane, th' affembled Creeks ex-
prefs'd.
And hunting of the Caledonian heart. Dryden,
In learning any thing, as little fliould be pro-
pofed to the mind at once, as is poflible; and,
that being underftood and fully maftered, proceed
to the next adjoining, yet unknown, funpic, un-
perplexcd propofition, belonging n the ma ter ia
hand, and tending to the clearing what is princi--
pa'ly defigneil. Locke,
To ADJO'URN. 'v.a, [adjourner, Fr.]
I. To put otf to another day, naming the
time ; a term ufed in juridical pro-
ceedings ; as, of parliaments, or courts
of juftice.
1 he queen being abfent, 'tis a needful fitnelsi
That we adjourn this court to further day=
Sbakefpeare,
By the king's authority alone, and by 'lis writs,
they ari affembled, and by him alone are they
prorogued and dilluived } but each lioufe may ad.,
journ itUif. Bacon,
z. To
A D J
a. To put ofF; to defer ; to let flay to a
future time.
Then, Jupiter, thou king of gods,
Why hail thou thus adjourned
The graces for his merits due,
Being all to dolours turn'd. Shairff, Cymh.
Crown high the goblets with ■ chearful draught:
Enjoy the ptcfcnt hour, adjcurm the ftiture thought.
Dry den.
The formation of animals being foreign to my
purpofe, 1 Ihall adjourn the confidcrari'^n of it t )
another occafion. H^oodxoard's t/atural H'ljlory.
Adjo'urnment.w./ [adjournement, Fr. ]
I. An aflignment of a day, or a putting
off till another day.
Mjiurnmtnt in tyre, an appointment of a day,
when the jultices in eyre mean to fit again.
Q/tveli.
3. Delay ; procrafUnation ; difmilTion to
. a future time.
We will and we will not, and then we will not
again, and we will. Ac this rate wc run our lives
out in adjournments from time to time, out of a
fantaftical levity that holds us off and on, betwixt
hawk and buzsard. L^BJlrange.
A'oiTQVs.adj. \_aJipofus,'LaX.'\ Fat. Di3.
A'dit. rt.f. [adirui, Lat.] A paffage for
the conveyance of water under ground ;
a palTage under ground in general ; a
term among the minemen.
For conveying away the water, they ftand in aid
of fundry devices j as, ad'tis, pumps, and wheels,
^ driven by a llrtram, and interchangeably tilling and
emptying two buckets. Careiv>
The delfs would be fo flown with waters (it be-
ing imj^olTible to make any adits or fouglis to drain
them) that no gins or machines could fulHce to lay
and keep them dry. ^ay,
Adi'tion. n.f. [from adeo, aJiium, Lat.]
The aft of going to another. DJ3.
7*0 Adju'dge. "v. a, [adjudico, Lat.]
I . To give the thing controverted to one
of the parties by a judicial fentence ;
with the particle to before the perfon.
The way of difputing in the fchools is by in-
iifting on one topical argument j by the fuccefs
of which, victory is adjudged to the opponent,
or defendant. Locke*
The great competitors for Rome,
Cxfar and Pompey, on Pharfalian plains.
Where ftern Bellona, with one final flroke,
jtdjudg'd the empire of this globe to one. Ptillips.
z. To ientence, or condemn to a punifh-
ment ; with to before the thing.
But though thou art adjudged to the death ;
Yet I will favour thee in what I can. Shakeff.
3. Simply, to judge ; to decree ; to de-
termine.
He adjudged him unworthy of his friendfliip,
purpofing Hiarply to re\'enge the wrong he had rc-
ceivfd. Kncllcs.
rsADJU'DICATE. -v. a. [adjudico, Lat.]
To adjudge ; to give fomething contro-
verted to one of the litigants, by a fen-
tence or decifion.
A D J u D I c a't I o n . h. / [adjudicatio, Lat. ]
The aft of j lodging, or of granting
fomething to a litigai^t, by a judicial
fentence.
To A'djuoate. 'V. a. [adjugo, Lat.] To
yoke to ; to join to another by a yoke.
A'djument. ». /. \_adjumentum, Lat.]
Help ; fupport. DiS.
A'DJUNCT. n.f. [adju>i3um, Lit.]
I. Something adherent or urtited to an-
otixer, though not e^entially part of it.
A D J
Leirn'mg is but tt\ adjunff to ourfelf.
And where wc arc, our learning likewife is* Shak.
But 1 make hafte to connder you as ab(lra£)ed
from a court, which (if you will give me leave to
ufe a term of logick) is only an adjunSi) not a
propriety, of happincfs. Dryden,
The talent of difcretion, in its feveral adjunHs
and circumftances, is no where fo ferviccable as to
the clergy. Snvift.
2. A perfon joined to another. This fenfe
rarely occurs.
He made him the aObciate of his heir-apparent,
together with the lord Cottington (as an adjurd
of fingular experience and truft) in foreign travels,
and in a bufinefs of love. fVofton.
A'djunct. adj. United with; imme-
diately confequent.
So well, that what you bid me undertake.
Though that my death were adjunli to my afl,
I'd do "t. Sbakefp. King John,
Adju'nction. n.f. \adjun3io, Lat.]
\ . The aft of adjoining, or coupling to-
gether.
2. The thing joined.
Adju'nctive. n./. [adjunSi'vut, Lat.]
r. He that joins.
2. That which is joined.
Adjura'tion. n.f. [ae/juratio, hat.]
1 . The aft of adjuring, or propofing an
oath to another,
2. The form of oath propofed to another.
When thefe learned men faw ficknefs and frenzy
cured, the dead raifed, the oracles put to filence,
the dxmons and evil fpirits forced to confefs tfiem-
felvcs no gods, by perfons, who only made ufe of
prayer and adjurations in the name of their cruci-
fied Saviour ; how could they doubt of their Sa-
viour's power on the like occafions ?
Mdifm on the Cbrifiian Religion.
To ADJU'RE. -v. a. [adjuro, Lat.] To
impole an oath upon another, prefcrib-
ing the form in which he (hall fwear.
Thou know'ft, the magiftrates
And princes of my country came in perfon.
Solicited, commanded, threaten'd, urg'd,
jidjur'd by all the bonds of civil duty.
And of religion, prcfs'd how juft it was,
How honourable. MiJton.
■ 'Ve lamps of heaven ! he faid, and lifted high
His hands now free, thou venerable Iky !
Ye facred altars ! from whofe flames 1 fled.
Be all of vou adjured. Dryden.
To ADJU'ST. 'V. a. \adj after, Fr.]
1. To regulate ; to put in order ; to fettle
in the right form.
Your Lordlhip removes all cur difliculties, and
fupplies all our wants, fafter than the mod vi-
fionary projector can adjujl his fchemes. Siuift.
2. To reduce to the true ftate or Itandard ;
to make accurate.
The name's of mixed modes, for the moft part,
want llaniiards in nature, whereby men may re^ify
and adjufi their fignification \ therefore they an-
very various and doubrfu'. Locke.
3. To make conformable. It requires the
particle to before the thing to wliich the
conformity is made.
As to the accomplilhment of this remarkable
prophecy, whoever reads the account given by Jo-
iephus, without knowing his charadte., and com-
pares it with what our Saviour foretold, would
think the hiftorian had been aChrlft'an, and that
he had nothing elfe in view, but to adjufi the event
to the prediAion. jiddif n.
Adju'stment. n.f. [adjiiftement, Fr.]
I. Regulation; the aft of putting in me-
thod ; fcttlement.
The farther and clearer adjufiment of this affair,
I am conftraincd to adjourn to the larger treatife.
tfiidivard.
\
ADM
2. The ftate of being put In method, or
regulated.
It is a vulgar idea we have of a watch or cloclc,
when we conceive of it as an inftrument made to
Ihew the hour : but it is a learned idea which the
watch-maker has of it, who knows all the feveral
parts of it, together with the various connexions
and adjufimentt of each part. ff^aiti't Logiik,
A'djutant. n. /. A petty officer, whofe
duty is to ainit the major, by diftribut-
ing the pay, and overfeeing the punilh-
ment, of the common men.
To ADJU'TE. 1*. a. [adju-vo, adjufum,
Lat.] To help ; to concur : a word not
now in ufe.
For there be
Six bachelors as bold as he,
j^juting to his company ;
And each one hath his livery.
BenJonftM't Undervioods,
Adju'tor. »./ [aJJutor, Lit.] A helper.
Dia.
Adju'tory. ad;, [ad/uteriiu. Lit.] That
which helps. Di^.
Adju'trix. »./ [Lat.] She who helps.
A'djuvant. adj. [adjwvant. Lit.] Help,
ful ; ufeful. Dia.
To A'djuvate. o;. a. [adjwvo, Lat.] To
help; to further; to put forward.
Di3.
Admb'asuremEnt. n. /. [See Mea-
sure.] The adjuftment of proportions ;
the aft or praftice of meafuring accord-
ing to rule.
Admeajurement is a writ, which lieth for the
bringing of thofe to a mediocrity, that afutp more
thai! their part. It lieth in two cafes : one is
termed admeajurement of dower, where the widow
of the deceafed holdethfrom the heir, or his guar-
dian, more in the name of her dower, than bc-
longeth to her. The other is admeujurement of
pafture, which lieth between thofe that have com-
mon of paliure appendant to their freehold, or
common by vicinage, in cafe any one of them, or
more, do furcharge the common with more cattle
than they ought. Ccwd/m
In fome counties they are not ipuch acquainted
\fhh admeafuremnl by acre; and thereby the writs
contain twice or thrice fo many acres mure than
the land hath. Bacon*
Admensu R a'tion. n.f. [ad ind menfura,
Lat.] The aft, or praftice, of meafuring
out to each his part.
Admi'nicle. n.f. [adminicuhm, Lat.]
Help ; fupport ; furtherance. DiS.
Admi Ni'cuLAR. adj. [from adminicu-
lum,h<iX.] That which gives help. Diff.
To ADMl'NISTER. -v. a. [adminifro,
Lat.]
1. To give ; to afford ; to fupply.
I.ct zephyrs bland
Adminifler y ■ tepid genial airs ;
Naught fear i.c from the welt, whofe gentle
warmth
Difdofes well the earth's all-tceming womb.
Pbilifs.
2. To aft as the minifter or agent in an^r
employment or office ; generally, but
not always, with fome hint of fubordi-
nation : as, to adminifter the govern-
ment.
For forms of government let fools contefl,
Whate'er is beft adninifler'd, is bell-. Pofe,
3. To adminiller juflicej to diflribute
right.
4. To
ADM
4. To admlnifter the facraments, to dlf-
penfe them.
Have not they the old popifh cuftom of adtrini-
Jl'ring the bleiTcd facrament of the holy eucharift
with wafer-cakes ? Hosier.
5. To adminifter an oath ; to propofe or
require an oath authoritatively ; to ten-
der an oath.
Swear by the duty that you owe to heav'n.
To keep the oath that wc adminifter, Shakefpeare.
6. To adminifler phyfic j to give pnyfic
as it is wanted.
1 was carried on men's ihoulders, adminijlering
phylick and phlebotomy. Wafcri Voyage.
7. To adminifter to ; to contribute ; to
bring fupplies.
I rouft not omit, that there is a fountain rifing
in the upper part of my garden, which forms a
little wandering rill, and adminiflirs to the pleafure,
as well as the plenty, of the place. SpeSItitor.
8. To perform the office of an adrainiftra-
tor« in law. See Aoministrator.
Neal's order was never performed, becaufe the
executors durft not adminijler.
•Arbuthnot and Pope,
To Admi'nistrate. 1/. «. \adminiftro,
Lat.] To exhibit ; to give as phyfick.
Not in ufe.
They have the fame effefts in medicine, when
inwardly admtmjirated to animal bodier.
Wo'^dvjard,
Administra'tion. n.f. [aJminiftratio,
Lat.]
1. The aft of adminiflering or condufting
any employment ; as, the condufting
. the public affairs ; difpenling the laws.
I then did ufe the perfon of your fjther ;
The image of his power lay then in me :
And in th' admtn'ijl ration oi \\\i law,
While I was bufy for the commonwealth.
Your highnefs pleafcd to forget my place.
Shakrfpeare.
In the rtiort time of hii adminjftratiottt he ihone
fo powe- fully upon me, chat, like the heat of a
RuQian fummer, he ripened the fruits of poetry in
a cold clima'c. Dry'dtti,
2. The aftive or executive part of govern-
ment.
It may pafi for a maxim in ftate, that the ad-
miniftrai'um cannot be placed in too few hands, nor
the legiflature in too many. Stvift,
3. Colleftively, thofe to whom the care
of public affairs is committed ; as, the
adminiftration has been oppofed in par-
liament.
4. Dillribution ; exhibition ; difpenfation.
There is, in facraments, to be obferved their
force, and their form of adminifiratioH, Hocker,
By the univerfal admini/lrathn of grace, begun
by our blelTed Siviour, enlarged by his apoftles,
carried on by their iromediaic fuccefTors, and to
be completed by the reft to the wo-ld's end j all
types that darkened this faith are enlig'itcned.
•Sprat's St-rm'jnt,
Administrative. aJj. [from admini-
ftraie.'\ That which adminillers; that
by which any one adminillers.
Aduinistra'tor. n.f, \adminiflrator ,
Lau]
1. Is properly uken for him that has the
goods of a man dying inteftate com-
mitted to his charge by the ordinary,
and is accountable for the fame, when-
ever it fhail pleafe the ordinary to call
upon him thereiinto. Conuell.
He was wonderfully diligent to enquire and ob-
ferve what became of the king of Arragon, in
hoUijig Che kingdom of Caftille, and whether he
ADM
did hold It in his own right, or as admmfirator to
his daughter. Bacon's Henry VH.
2. He that officiates in divine rites.
I feel my confclence bound to remember the
tleath of Chrift, with fome fociety of Chriftians or
other, Cnce it is a moft plain command j whether
the perfon, who diftributes thcfe elements, be
only an occafional or a fettled adminijfrator.
Watt:.
3. He that condufts the government.
The rcfidence of the prince, or chhf adttiim^ra-
ror of the civil power. Sioift,
Admi'nistr ATRix. ti, /. [Lat.] She
who adminillers in confequence of a
will.
Administra'torship. n.f. [from «^-
miniftrator,'\ The office of adminiHra-
tor.
Admirabi'lity. n,f. \admirabilis, Lat. ]
The quality or ftate of being admira-
ble. Dia,
A'dmirable. adj. [admirabilis, Lat.]
To be admired ;, worthy of admiration ;
of power to excite wonder : always ta-
ken in a good fenfe, and applied either
to perfons or things.
The more power he hath to hurt, the more ad-
m'lrakle is his praife, that he will not hurt.
Sidney,
God was with them in all their adiiitions, and,
at length, by working their admirable deliverance,
did teftify that they ferved him not in vain.
Hooker,
What admiraili things occur in the remains of
feveral other phllofophers ! Short, I conftfs, of
the rules of chriftianity, but generally above the
lives of chriftians. Soutb'i Sermotii.
You can at moft
To an indiff rent lover's praife pretend :
But you would fpoil an admirible friend. Drydin.
A'dmirableness. n,/. [from admirable.']
The quality of being admirable ; the
power of raifing wonder.
A'dmirablv. adni, [from admirable.]
So as to raife wonder ; in an admirable
manner.
The theatre is the moft fpacious of any I ever
faw, and fo admirably well contrived, that, from
the very depth of the ftage, the loweft found may
be heard diftin£tly to the fart he ft part of the au-
dience, as in a whifpering place j and yet, raife
your voice as high as you pleafe, there is nothing
like an echo to caufe the leaft crmfufion. Mdifcr..
A'DMIRAL. ». y: [amiral, Fr, of un.
certain etymology.]
1. An officer or magiftrate that has the
government of the king's navy, and the
hearing and determining all caufes, as
well civil as criminal, belonging to the
fea. Coxuell.
2. The chief commander of a fleet.
He alfo, in battle at fea, overthrew Rcdericuj
Rotundus, admiral of Spain, in which fight the
admiral, with his fon, were both flain, and feven
of his gallies taken. Knolles.
Make the fea (nine with gallantry, and all
The Englilh youth (lock to tUc'n admiral. fVaikr.
3. The fhip which carries the admiral or
commander of the fleet.
The admiral galley, wherein the emperor him-
fclf Wis, by great mifchance, ftruck upon a fand.
Knolles.
A'dmiralship. ». / [from admiral.]
The office or power of an admiral.
A'dmi RALTY. 11./. [amiraulle, Fr.] The
power, or officers, appointed for the ad-
miniftration of naval affairs.
Aumira'tion, a./, [admiralio, Lat.]
ADM
1. Wonder; the aifl of admiring or won-
dering.
Indu'd with human voice, and human fenfe,
Reafonjng to admiration. Milton*
The paftions always move, and therefore, con-
fequently, pleafe ; for, without motion, there can
be no delight : which cannot be confidercd but as
an aftive palfion. When we view tho^ elevated
ideas of nature, the refult of that view M admira~
tioit, which is always the caufe of pleafure.
Dryden.
There is a pleafure in admiration, and this is
that which properly caufeth admiration, when we
difcover a great deal in an objedl which we un-
derftand to be excellent} and yet we fee, we know
nn how much more beyond that, which our un-
derftandings cannot fully reach and comprehend.
Tillotfon.
2. It is taken fometimes in a bad fenfe,
though generally in a good.
Your boldnefs I with admiration fee ;
What hope had you to gain a queen like me?
Becaufe a hero forc'd me once away.
Am I thought lit to be a fecond prey ? Dryden,
To ADMI'RE. v. a. [admiro, Lat. ad-
mirer, Fr.]
1 . To regard with wonder : generally in
a good fenfe.
'Tis here that knowledge wonders, and there is
an admiration that is not the daughter of igno-
rance. This indeed ftupidly gazeth at the un-
wonted effe& i but the philofophic paftion truly
admires and adores the fup.cme efficient.
Glanville*
2. It is fometimes ufed, in more familiar
fpeech, for to regard 'vtith lo've.
3. It is ufed, but rarely, in an ill fenfe.
You have difplac'd the mirth, broke the good
meeting
With moft admir'd iiCorder. Shakefp. Macbeth.
To Admi're. 'v.n. To wonder J fome-
times with the particle at.
The eye is already fo perfect, that I believe the
reafon of a man would eafily have refted here, and.
admird at his own contrivance. Ray on the Creation.
Admi'rer. 71,/, [from admire.]
1. The perfon that wonders, or regard*
with admiration.
Neither Virgil nor Horace would have gained
fo great reputation, had they not been the friends
and admirers of each other. Addijoti.
Who moft to (hun or hate mankind pretend.
Seek an admirer, or would lix a friend. Pope.
2, In common fpeech, a lover.
AoMi'RiKGLY.ad-v. [from admire,] With
admiration ; in the manner of an ad-
mirer.
The king very lately fpoke of him admiringly
and mournfully. Sbakrfp. All's ivelltbatendsivill.
We may yet further admiringly obfervc, that men
ufually give frcelieft where they have not given
before. Boyle*
Admi'ssible. adj. [admitio, admijfum,.
Lat.] That which may be admitted.
Suppofe that this fuppofition were admijfible, yet
this would not any way be inconliftent with the
eternity of the divine nature and e(rence.
Hale's Origin of Mankind^
Admt'ssion. n.f, [admi^o, L3.t.]
1 . The aft or praftice of admitting.
There was alfo enacted that ciiaritable law, for
the admi£ion of poor fuitors without fee ; whereby
poor men became rather able to vex, than unable
to fue. Bacon's Henry VII*
By means of our folitary (ituation, and our rare
admf£ion of ftrangers, wc know molt part of the
habrtable world, and arc ourfclves unknown.
Bacon's Ne^u Atalantii .
2. The ftate of being admitted.
My father faw you ill deligns purfue ;
A«d jny admillm fljow'd his feat of you. Dryden.
ADM
ADM
ADO
Cri «iid tlwn tjcrcife man's hopts with the ex-
pcfijiions of a btttcr paruJifi', or i more intimitr
^dmij/icK to himfelf. Staib't Strmeni.
Our kin; defcendi from Jove i
Aod hither are we come by bis command,
To crave iutwtjjittt in your happy land. Dryden,
3. Admittance ; the power of entering, or
being admitted.
All finings have fome degt« of heat, none ever
freezing, no not in the longeft and fevereft frofts ;
efpeclally thofe, where there is fuch a fite and dif-
pofition of the ftrata as gives free and cafy ad-
mffan to this heat. WixdiUard'% Natural IliJIoiy.
4. {In the ecclefiaftical law.] It is, when
the patron prefents a cierk to a church
that is vacant, and the bi(hop, upon
examination, admits and allows of fuch
clerk to be fitly qualified, by faying,
AJmitto ie habilem. Ayliffe' s Parergon.
5. The allowance of an argument ; the
grant of a pofition not fully proved.
To ADMI'T. 1'. a. [aJmitto, Lat.]
1. To fuifer to enter ; to grant entrance.
Mirth, admit me of thy crew. Milton.
Does not one table Bavius ftill cdmit T Pipe.
9. To fufFer to enter upon an office ; in
which fenfe the phrafe of admijpon into a
eollege. Sec. is ufed.
The trcafurcr found it no hard matter fo far to
terrify hiiri, that, for the king's fervice, as was
pretended, he admitted, for a fix-clerk, a pcrfcn
recommended by him. C/arindm.
3. To allow an argument or pofition.
Suppofe no weapon can thy valour's pride
Subdue, that by no force thou may'ft be won,
jUmt no ftcel can hurt or wound thy fide,
And be it hcav'n bath thee fuch favour done.
Fairfax,
This argument is like to have the lefs effcit on
tne, feeing I cannot eafily admit the inJcrence.
Loch.
4. To allow, or grant in general j fome-
times with the particle of.
If you once admit if a latitude, that thoughts
may be exalted, and images raifed above the life,
that leads you infenfibly from your own principles
to mine. Drydtn.
Admi'ttable. adj. \ixom admit. "] The
perfon or thing which may be admitted.
Btciufe they have not a bladder like thofe wc
cfcf::rvein others, they have no gall at all, is a pa-
rilogifm not admiitabli, a fallacy that nceis not
the fun to fcatter it. Bmvn.
The clerk, who is prcfcnted, ought to prove to
the bllhop, that he is a deacon, and that he has
orders j otherwife, the bifliop is not bound to ad-
mit him ; for, a> the law then ftood, a deacon was
4idmittatle. yiynfe's Parergon.
Admi'ttance. n.f. [(rom admit .']
1. The aft of admitting ; allowance or
permilTion to enter.
It cannot enter any man's conceit to think it
lawful, that every man which Uilcth .'hould take
upon him charge in the church; and th-refbrc a
folemn admittance is of fuch neceflity, that, without
it, there can be no church-polity. Hooter.
A» to the admittance of the weighty elaftic parts
ef the air into the blood, through the coats of
the veffels,*! feems contrary to experiments upon
deaJ bodies. jlrtuthnct on Alimentu
i. The power or right of entering.
What
■ If I do line one of their hands .' — 'tis gold
Which buys admittarce. Staieffeare'i CymMint.
Surely a daily expectation at ihc £jtc, is the
readied way to gain admittance into the houfc.
_, Souths Sermons.
There's news from Bertran ; he dcfircs
Admittance to the king, and criti aloud,
TJ»s day liaU end our fears. Dryden.
There are fome ideas which hitt adp:!tt:!net on^y
through one fenfe, which is peculiarly adapted to
receive them. Loeie.
J. Cuftom, or prerogative, of being ad-
mitted to great perfons : a fenfe now
out of ufe.
Sir John, you are a gentleman of excellent
breeding, of great admiilanci, authentick in your
place and perfon, generally allowed for your many
warlike, couttllke, and learned preparations.
Sbakefpeare.
4. Conceflion of a pofition.
Nor could the Pythagorean give eafy admittance
thereto j for, holding that fcparate fouls fuccef-
fivcly fupplied other bodies, they could hardly al-
low the raifiog of fouls from other worlds.
Btztvn's Vulgar Errours.
To Adui'x. ni, a. [adnti/ceo, Lat.] To
mingle with fometbing elfe.
Admi'xtion. n.f. [from ezdtnix.] The
union of one body with another, by
mingling them.
All metals may be calcined by ftrong waters,
or by admixtion of fait, fulphur, and mercury.
Bacon.
The elements at« no where pure in thcfe lower
regions ; and if there is any free from the admix-
tion of another, fure it is above the concave of the
moon. Glanville.
There is no way to make a ftrong and vigorous
powder oi faltpetre, without the admixtion of ful-
phur. Bmvns Vulgar Errct/n.
Admi'xtore. »./. [from admix.] The
body mingled with another ; perhaps
fometimes the aft of mingling.
Whatever acrimony, or amaritudr, at any time
redounds in it, niuft be derived from the admixture
of another Iharp bitter fubftance.
Harijey en Confumptions.
A mafs which to the eye appears to be nothing
but mere finople earth, Ihall, to the fmell or taftc,
difcover a plentiful a(/mixr«r? of fulphur, alum, or
fome other mineral. fVoodward's Natural Hijl-^ry.
To ADMO'NISH. -v. a. {admoneo, Lat.]
To warn of a fault ; to reprove gen-
tly ; to counfel againft wrong prac-
tices ; to put in mind of a fault or a
duty ; with the particle of, or againjl,
which is more rare ; or the infinitive
mood of a verb.
One of his cardinals, who better knew the in-
trigues of aft'airs, adm:n\Jixd him againji that un-
ikilful piece of ingenuity. Decay of Piety.
He e/* their wicked ways
Shall them admonip, and before them fet
The paths of righteoufnefs. Milton.
But when he was admowjhcd by his fubjeCl to
defcerdf he came down, gently cirdiiig in the air,
and finglng, to the ground. Drydcii.
Admo'nisher. h. /. [from admonijh.']
The perfon that admoniflies, or puts
another in mind of his faults or duty.
Horace was a mild admonijher ; a court-fatirifl
fit for the gentle times of Augudus. Dryden.
Admo'nishmsnt. tt. f. \from admoniff}.']
Admonition ; the notice by which one
is put in mind of faults or duties : a
word not often ufed.
But yet be wary in the ftudious care.—
—Thy grave admonijhments prevail with me.
Siakfpeare's HetryV. p, i.
To th' infinitely Good wc owe
Immortal thanks, and his admonijhment
Receive, with folemn purpofe to obfcrvc
Immutably his fuv«rcign will, the eud
Of what we are. Milicn,
Admoni'tion. ». f. [aJmon'tio, Lat.]
The hint of a fault or duty ; counfel ;
gentle reproof.
They muft give our teachers leave, for the laving
ef fouls, to intermingle fometimes with othee
more neccfiary thingr, aJa-nition concerning thcfe
not unncccifaiy. Ilcoitr.
From this admonition they took only occafion to
redouble their fault, and to ll':cp again ; fo that,
upon a fccond and third admomticr, they had no-
thing to plead for their unfcalbnabl; drowfinel";.
Sc!irb*s Sermons,
Admoki'tioner. n.f. [from adntenition.']
A liberal difpenfer of admonition ; a
general advifer. A ludicrous term.
Albeit the admtniticners did fcem at firft to lik*
no prcfciipt form of prayer .it all, but thought it
the bed that their minifter Jhould always be left at
liberty "to pray, as his own difcrction did fcr\c,
their defender, and his all'ociatcs, have fithence
piopofcd to the world a form as themfclves did
like. Hooker,
A D M o' N I T o R Y . adj. [admotittoriuj, Lat . ]
That which admonifhes.
The fcntence of reafun is either mandatory,
ihewing what muft be done ; or elfe permillive,
declaring only what may be done j or, thirdly, ad'
monitory, opening what is the moll convenient for
us to do. Hookir.
Admurmur a'tion. ft./, [admurmtiro,
Lat.] The aft of murmuring, or whif-
pering to another. Z)/.-7.
To Admo've. v. a. \_admovco, Lat.] To
bring one thing to another. A word
not in ufe.
if, unto the powder of loadftone or iron, wc oif-
m'-vc the north-pole of the loadllooe, the powders,
cr fmall divifions, will ercdt and conform them-
felves thereto. Brown's Vulgar Errcurs.
Ado', n.f. [from the verb to do, with a
before it, as the French affaire, from i.
aadfaire."]
I. Trouble, difficulty.
He took Clitophoii prifoner, whom, with mucK
ado, he keepeth alive; the Helots being viKain-
oufly cruel. Sidney,
They moved, and in the end pcrfuaded, with
much ado, the people to bind themfelves by folemn
oath. Hooker,
He kept the borders and marches of the pale
with much adoj he held many parliaments, wherein
fundry laws were made. Sir fohn Davics,
With much ado, he partly kept awake ;
Not fufTring all his eyes repofe to take. ' Dryden,
z. Euftle ; tumult ; bufinefs ; fometimes
with the particle about.
Let's follow, to fi.e the end of this ado, Sbaiefp,
All this ado about Adam's fatherhood, and the
greatnefs of its power, helps nothing to cttablifh
the power of thofe that govern. Locke,
3. It has a light and ludicrous fenfe, im-
plying more tumult and (how of bufinefs,
than the affair is worth : in this fenfe it
is of Lite generally ufed.
I made no more ado, but to:ik all their feven
points in my taigct, thus. S'.^ak./p. Henry IV.
We'll keep no great ado^^^a friend or two-
It m.iy be thought wc held him ca:elcfsly,
Being our kinfman, if wc revel much. Sbatefp,
Come, fays Pufs, without any more ado, 'tis
time to go to breakfafi ; cats don't live upon dia-
logues. L'EJtrange,
Adolk'scence. \n.f. \adolefceiitia, Lat.]
Adole'scency. i The age fucceeding
childhood, and fucceeded by puberty ;
more largely, that part of life in wKich
the body has not yet reached its full per-
fedion.
He was fo far from a boy, that he was a man
born, and at his full ftaturc, if we believe Jofe,
phus, who places him in the \i!i adoUfuncy, and
makes him twenty-five years old. Brown^
, The fons muft have a tedious time of childhood
and aiolefccncc, before they can either tiismftlves
ajr.a
ADO
sflift their parents, or encourage them with new
hows of poflerity. Beniley.
To ADCyPT. %: a. {adopto, Lat.]
1, To take a fonby choice ; to make him
a fon, who was not fo by bixth.
Were none of all my f» ler's fiftera left;
Navi were I of my mother's Icin bereft;
None by an uncle's or a grandame*s Hcie,
Yet I could fome adopted heir provide. Drydcn.
2. To place any perfon or thing in a nearer
relation, than tbey have by nature, to
foraething elfe.
Whether, ad<ff>ud to fomc neighboring ftar.
Thou roirft above us in thy wand'ring race.
Or, in proceflion fix'd and regular,
Mov'd with the hcav'ns majellic pace;
Or cdird to more celeilial blifs,
Thou trcad'ft, with leraphims, the vaft abyfs.
Dryden,
We are feldom at eafc from the foUcitacion of
our natural or adopted delires ; but a conrtant fuc-
ccfiinn of uneafinclTes, out of that (lock, which
natural wants, or acquired habits, have heaped up,
take the will in their turns. L^cle.
Ado'ptedlv. a</i;. [{rom aJof ted.'] Af-
ter the manner of fomething adopted.
Ad'.ptfdly^ as fchool-maids change their names,
By vain, though apt, aftcdion. Sb^iidpi:.lr:,
Ado'pter. 71./. [from adopt.] He that
gives fome one by choice the rights of a
fon.
Ado'ption". )i./. [adoptio, Lat.]
1. The aft of adopting, or taking to one's
felf what is not native.
2. The ftate of being adopted.
My bed (hall be abufed, my reputation gnawn
at ; and I fliall not only receive this villainous
wrong, but ftand under the adoption of abominable
terms, anS by him that does me the wrong.
Shakcjpure.
She purpos'd,
When (he had fitted you with her craft, to work
Her fon into th'ijrf»/)/»)iof the crown. SbaieJ'paire.
In every att of our Chriftian worihip, we are
taught to call upon him under the endearing cha-
rafler of our Father, to remind us of our adoption,
that we are made heirs of God, and joint heirs of
Chriil. J?9jfm'j Set^ons.
Ado'ptive. adj. [adoplivtts, Lat.]
1. He that is adopted by another, and
made his fon.
It is impnflible an cleftlvc monarch fhould be fo
free and abfoiute as an hereditary ; no more than
it is poflible for a father to have fo full power and
in;ereft in an adopii-vt fon, as in a natural. Bac.n.
2. He that adopts another, and makes him
his fon.
An adopted fon cannot cite bis adoptive father
into court, without his leave. Ayhffe's Parcrgon.
Ado'rable. adj. [adorable, Fr.] That
which ought to be adored ; that which
IS worthy of divine honours.
On thefc two, the love of God, and our neigh-
bour, hang both the law and the prophets, fays
the adorable Author of Chriftianity ; and the
Apoftle fajs, the end of the law is charity. Cheyne.
Ado'r ABLENESS. n. f. [from odoraLle.]
The quality of being adorable ; wor-
thinefs of divine honours.
Aoo'rably. adii. [from adoraiie.] In a
manner worthy of adoration.
AdOra'tion. n./. [adoratio, Lit.]
i. The external homage paid to the Divi-
nity, diftinft from mental reverence.
S>lemn aad ferviceable worfhip we name, for
d.ftindion /ake, whatfoever bclongeth to the!
church, or publick focicty, of Cod, by way ot
external adoration. Hooker..
It is poffible to fuppofe, that thofe who believe
VO L. I.
ADO
a fupreme excdlent Being, may yet ^ive him no
i«t6rnal adoration at all. StillingJI.e'.
2. Homage paid- to perfons in kigh place
or efteem.
O ceremony, fltew me but thy worth :
What is thy tolli O ar/nriirij/;/
Art thou nought elfe but place, degree, and form,
Creating awe and' fear in other men ?
Wherein thou art lefs happy, being, fear'd,:
Than they in fearing.
What drink'ft thou oft, inftcad of homage fweet,
But poifin'd flattery ? .; S kakefpeare't- Henry V.
To ADO'RE. -J. a. [adoro, Lat.]
1 . To worfhip with external homage ; to
pay divine honours.-
The mountain nymphs and Themis they adore,
And from her oracles relief implore. Dryden-
2. It is ufed, popularly, tO' denote a high
degree of reverence or regard ; to reve-
rence ; to honour ; to love.
The people appear adorirtg their prince,' and their
prince oi/ariBj God. T<r//fr, N" 57.
Make future times thy equal aft adore.
And be what brave Orcflss was before.
Pcpe^t Odyffey.
Ado'rement. n.J". [h&m adore.l Ado-
ration ; worfhip : a word fcarcely ufed.
The priefts of elder times deluded their apprc-
henCons with fouth-faying, and fuch oblique ido-
latries, and won their credulities to the literal and
downright edorement of cats, lizards, and beetles.
Brti'tunt Vulgar Errours.
Ado'rer. »./ [from adore.]
1 . He that adores ; a worfhippcr ; a term
generally ufed in a low fenfe ; as, by
lovers, or admirers.
Being fo far provoked as I was in France, I
would abate her nothing ; though I profcfs myfelf
her adorer, not her friend. Skahfpeare^t Cymbdine.
Whilft as th' approaching pageant does appear,
And echoing crowds fpeak mighty Venus near ;
I, her adorer, too devoutly fland
Fail on the utmoft margin of the land. Prior.
2. A worfhipper ; in a ferious fenfe.
He was fo levere an adorer of truth, as not to
dilfemble ; or to fufrer any man to think that he
would do any thing, which he refolved not to do.
Clarendon.
To ADO'RN. 1/. a. [adorno, Latin.]
1 . To drefs ; to deck the perfon with or-
naments.
He hath clothed me with the garments of falva-
tion, he hath covered me with the robcof rjghteouf-
nefs, as a bridegroom dcckcth hiinfelf with orna-
ments, and as a bride adornctb hcrfelf with her
jewels. ljeiah,\x\. 10.
Vet 'tis not to adprn and gild each part,
That Ihcws more coft than art ;
Jewels at nofc and lips, but ill appear. Cvzvfey.
2. To fet out any place or thing with de-
corations.
A gallery adorned with the piftures or ftatues ot
the invention of things ufeful to human life. Citvley,
3. To embellifh with oratory or elegance
of language.
I'liis will fupply men's tongues with many new
things, to be named, adorned, ind dcfcribcd, in
their difcourfc. Sprat.
Thoufands there arc in darker fame that dwell,
Whofe names fome nobler poem (hall adorn j
For, tho' unknown to me, tlicy fure fought well.
Dryden.
Ado'rn. adj. [from the verb.] Adorned;
decorated : a word peculiar to Milton. '
She'll to realities yield all her (hows,
Made fo adorn for thy delight the more. Milton.
Ado'rkmHnt. n./. [from adorn.] Orna-|
nient ; embelliihment ; elegance : not
now in ufe.
This attribute waj not givjn to tJie earth, while
A D V
!t was confufed ; nor to the heavens, before they
had motion and ador/jment.
Raleigh's Hi/lory of the IVorld.
She held the very garment of Hofthumus in moi-e
refpeft than my nobb and natural perfon, together
with the adornment of my qualities.
Skakejpeare's Cymbeline.
Ado'wn. ad'v. [from a and donx/n.] Down ;.
on the ground.
Thrice did (he fink hdoivn in deadly found.
And thrice he her rcviv'd with bufy pain.
Fitiry ^een,
Ado'wn. prep. Down; towards the
ground j from a higher fituation to*
wards a lower.
In this remembrance Emily ere day
Arofe, and drefs'd herfelf in rich array;
Fre(H as the month, and as the morning fair,
Adotvn her fhouldcrs fell her lengthof hair, Drydeiti.
Adre'ad. adii. [from a and dread -y as,
ajide, athirji, ajleep.] In a ftate of fear ;
frighted ; terrified : now obfolete.
And thinking to make all men adreadto fuch*
one an enemy., who would not fparc, nor fear to
kill (b great a prince. Sidney,
Adri'ft. adhi. [from a and drift, from
drive.] Floating at random i. as any
impulfe may drive
Then, (hall this m«unt
Of paradife, by might of wares, be mov'd
Out of his place, puih'd by the horned Hood;
With all his verdure fpoii'd, and trees adrift
Down the great river, to tlie opening gulf,
And there take root. Mi!t9n%
It feem'd a corps adrift to didant fight ;
But at a diftance who could judge aright .' Dryden,
The cuftom of frequent refleftion will keep
their minds from running adrift, and call their
thoughts home from ufelcfs unattentive roving.
Loche on Educatioftf
JDRO'ir. adj. [French.] Dextrous j
aftive ; fkilful.
An adroit ftout fellow would fometimes deftroy
a whole family, with juftice apparently againft
him the whole time. Jervat'i Don ^itixote.
Adroi'tness. ».y; [from adroit.] Dex-
terity } readinefs ; aftivity. Neither
this word, nor adroit, feem yet com-
pletely naturalized.
Adry'. adii. [from a andi dry .] Athirft;
tbirfty ; in want of drink.
He never told any of them, tlial he was hia
humble fcrvant, but his well-wi(hcr ; and would
rather be thought a malecontcnr, than drink the
king's health when he was not adry. SpeElator.
Adsciti'tious. adj. [adj'citittus, Lat.]
That which is taken in to complete
fomething elfe, though originally ex-
trinfick ; fupplemental ; additional.
Adstri'ction. n. f. [adJiriSio, Lat. J
The aft of binding together ; and ap-
plied, generally, to medicaments and
applications, which have the power of
making the part contraft.
To ADVA'NCE. rv. a. [avancer, Fr.]
1. To bring forward, in the local fenfe.
Now morn, her rofy fteps in th' cadern clime
Advancing, fow'd the earth with orient pearl.
flfilton.
2. To raife to preferment ; to aggrandize.
He hath been ever conftant in his courfe of ad.,
vancing me ; from a private gentlewoman he
made me a marchionefs, and from a marchlonefs a
queen ; and now he intends to crown my innocency
with the glory of martyrdom. Bacon.
The declaration of the greatnefs of Mordecai,
whercunto the king advanced him. EJihir, x. c,
3. To improve
What lawi caa be advifed o»we proper and ef.
f ftftual
A. D V
fcdual to«/v«m tJM nature of nan to ittliighen'
pcrfc£lion, than thcfc f reccpts of Chriftianicy f
Tilhtfan.
4. To heighten ; to grace ; to give luftrc to.
As the calling dignifies the man^ io the man
much more advancei his calling* As a gar-
ment, chough it warms the body, has a return
' with an advantage, being mu(b more warmed by
It. South' i StrmQniM
5. 'Xo forward ; to accelerate.
Thefc three laft were flower than the ordinary
Indian wheat of itfelf; and ihis culture did rather
retard titan tdiMiict, Bacep.
15. To propofe ; to offer to the pi^blick ; to
■bring to view or notice.
'PhL-don 1 hight, quoth hi:, an4 do adwinet
My ancefby from famous Coradin. Fairy Sjitn.
\ dare not advanu my opinion ag.-^inll the judg-
ment of fo great an author ; but 1 tlilnk it fair to
(cave the decifion to the publick. Drydrn.
Some ne^er advame a judgment of their own.
But catch the fp eading notion of the town. Ppfe.
To Adva'wce. 1;. n.
1. To come forward.
At this the youth, whofe vent'rous foul
No fears of maglcic art controul,
Ath-anc*d in open fight. Fane}.
%. To make improvemen't.
They who would advance in knowledge, and
not deceive and fwcll thcmfelves with a little arti-
culated air, ihould not take words for real entities
in nature, till they can frame clear and diliin£l
ideas of tbofe entities. Locke.
Adva'»ce. »./ [from To advance.]
I. The aft of coming forward.
All the foot were put into Abington, with a re-
folution to quit, or defend, the town, according
to the manner of the enemy's advance towards it.
Clarendon.
So, like the fua*s advance j your titles fhow ;
Which, as he rifcs, does the warmer grow. IValler.
a. A tendency to come forward to meet a
lover ; an aft oi invitation.
In vain are all the pradis'd wiles.
In vain thofe eyes would love impart;
Not all th' advances, aU the fmiles.
Can move one unrelenting heart. 'ffa!Jh,
His genius was below
The &ill of cv'ry common beau ;
Who, though he cannot ff^H, is wife
i£nough to read a lady*s eyes j
>nd will each accidental glance
Jaterpret for a kind advance. S-zvift
He has defcribed the unworthy paRion of the
.goddefs Calypfo, and the indecent advances (ne
made to detain him from his own country. Po/-e.
That prince applied h.mfell ftrft to the Church
•f England, and upon their let'ufal to fail in with
his meafures, made the like advanus to the Dif-
fenters. Hwift.
3. Gradual progreflion ; rife from one
point to another.
Our Saviour railed the ruler's daughter, the wi-
dow's fpn, and Laiarus) the firil of thefe, when <hc
l^d juil exp.re>) j the fccond, as he was carriea V)
■tl)c grave an his bier; and lie third, after lie li.id
■Veen fome time buried. And having, by thefe
.gradual advances, m;in:fefted h.s divine pov,er, lu'
at lallexe :ed the hi^h.ll and molt gbriuus degree
of it; and laifcd hnnfeifalfo by bis own all-quick-'
.cning viitue, and accord'.jjg tj his own exprefs 1 re-
ittQ.mn. .Auerhnry.
M49 of Ihidy and thought, that reafnn ri^hr,
and arelovers of truth, doniake n9 great <:</ir<in,rs
in tlipir d.fcoveries of it. Locke.
.4. Improvement ; progrefc towards per ;
feftion.
The principle and oi>je£l of the greared impor-
tance in the world 10 the good of mankind, and. for
tne adv.inif and pcrfi£ling of human nature. Ha!e.
..Al>.YA'ii,CElvtE:NT. n.f. [a-vancemmt , Ft.]
J. The aft of coming forward.
"Xikit lefiocinFnt luiti'-cs diuljf advaBtmunis,
A D V
and, 1 hope, In time, will raife sur language to
the utmoft perfc^ion. Stvifr.
2. Theilateofbeingadvanced; preferment.
The Percles of the North
Finding his ufurpation moil unjuil,
Endeavour'd my advaxcemtnt to the throne.
Sbakejfetre.
3. The aft of advancing another.
In bis own grace he doth exalt himlelf
More than in your advancemcnf.
Sbokcjpeare'i King Lear,
4. Improvement ; promotion to a higher
ftate of excellence.
Nor can wc conceive it unwelcome unto thofe
worthies, who endeavour the advancement of learn-
ing. Brctun i Vulgar Erroun.
5. Settlement on a wife. This fenfe is
now difufed.
The jointure or advancement of the lady, was the
third part of the principality oi Wales, Bacon.
Adva'ncer. ft./, [from advance.] He
that advances any thing ; a promoter ;
forwarder.
Soon after the death of a great officer, who was
judged no advancer of the king's matters, the king
faid to his folicitor, Tell me truly, what fay you
of your coufin that is gone ? Bacon.
'The reporters arc greater advancers of defama-
tory deligns, than the very firft contrivers.
Government of the Tongue.
ADVA'NTAGE, «./ [advantage, Fr.]
1. Superiority ; often with of or over be-
fore a perfon.
In the pra^ical prudence of managing fiich gifts,
the laity may have fome ad'vantage over the clei^y j
whofe experience is, and ought to be, lefs of this
world than the other. Sprat,
All other forts and fefls of men would evidently
have ths ad-vantage of us, and a much furer title
to happinefs than we. Atterbury*
2. Superiority gained by ilratagcra, or
unlawful means.
"The common law hath left them this benefit,
whereof they make advantaget and wrert it to
their bad purpofcs. Sftnjer^i State bfjrtland.
But fpecialiy he took advantage of the night for
fuch pr!vy att-mpts, infomuch that the bruit of
hismanlinefs was fpread everywhere. 2 Af^atv. viii.7.
Great malice, backed with a great intercfl j
yet can h.jve no ada<antage oi a man, but from his
own cjtpcdlations of-fomething that rs without him,
Sautb^i Sermnni,
As foon as he was got to 'Sicily, they fent for
him back j dcfigning to take advantage, and pro-
f.'cute him in the abfcnce of his friends. Swift,
3. Opportunity; convenience.
Give me adi.\.>2tage of fome brief difcourfe
With Defdfmona alone. Sbakefpeare,
4. Favourable circumftances.
Like jewels to ad-vantage fet,
Her beauty by the ihadc does get. fVulUr,
A f.;cc, which is ovcr-fluihed, appears to ad-
vantage in the dcepefl fcarlet ; and the datkefl
complexion is not a little alleviated by a black
hood. Addtjon,
True wit is nature to ad-uantage drcfs*d,
Wh.1t oft was thought, but he'er fo well exprefs'd.
5. Superior excellence.
A man born with fuch advantage of conf^itu-
tion, that it adulterates not the images of h'snalnd.
GlanviiU.
.6. Gain ; profit.
Sot tnuu i^M\, what advantage will it be unto
thee, and whatifrofit ih^ll I hayc, ifl be cicanfcd
.from my fin ? ^ci.
•Ceriain it is, that advantage now fits in the
room oi conicience, end (leers all.
South's Strmom^
7, Overplas ; fomething more than the
mere lawful gain.
Wo owe thee much } within this waU of fleib
A D V
There is a foul counti thee her creditor,
Aui with advantage means to pay thy love.
lihakeffear*»
Yo« fa!d, you neither lend nor borrow
Upon advantage. Shakeff. Merchant of Venice.
8. Preporideration on one fide of the com-
parifon.
Much more (hould the confideration of this
fiattern arm us with patience againft ordinary ca-
amities ; efpecially if we confider his example
with this advantage, that though his fufterings
were wholly undefervcd, and not for himfcif but
for us, yet he bore them patiently. Tillotjon.
To Adva'nt ACE. f. «j. [from the noun.]
1. To benefit.
Convey what I fet down to my lady : it fhall
advantage rtsore than ever the bearing of letter
did. Hhakefpeare*
The trial hath endamag'd thee no way.
Rather more honour left, and more cfteem ;
Me nought advantag'd, miffing what I aim*d.
Milton*
The great bulincfs of the fenfes being to make
us take notice of what hurts or advantages the
body, it is wifely ordered by nature, that pain
Ihould accompany the reception of feveral ideas.
Locke,
Wc Ihould have purfued fome other way, more
effectual, for dlltreffing the common enemy, and
advantaging ourfelves. Swift.
2. To promote ; to bring forward ; ta
gain ground to.
The lloics that opinioned the fouls of wife men
dwelt about the mocn, and thofe of fools wander-
ed about the earth, advantaged the concert of this
effe^. Broivns Vulgar Errjurs.
To ennoble it with the fpirit that infpires the
Royal Society, were to advantage it in one of the
beft capacities in which it is improveablc.
Clanville''s Scepjii Scientifca.
Adva'ntageable. adj. [from advan-
tage.] Piofitable ; convenient ; gainfuL
As It is advantageahle to a phyfician to be call-
ed to the cure of declining difeafe, fo it is for a
commander to fupprefs a fedition which has pair-
ed the height. Sir y. Hayiiard,
Adva'ntaced. adj. [from To advan-
tage.] Poflefled of advantages ; com-
modioufly fituated or difpofed.
In the muft advantaged tempers, this difpofition
is but comparative ; whereas the moil of men la-
bour under difadvantagcs, which nothing can rid
them of. Glanville.
Adva'ntage-sround. n.f. Ground
that gives fuperiority, and opportuni-
ties of ^Innoyance or refillance.
This excellent man, who ftood i)ot upon the
adv.^niage-ground before, from the time of his
promotion to the archbifhoprick, provoked or un-
derwent the envy, and reproach, and malice, of
men of all qualities and conditions^ who agreed
in nothing eifc. Clarendon.
ADVANTA''cEOUS.aii)'. [ezvoHtageux, Fr.]
1. Of advantage; profitable; ul'eful; op-
portune ; convenient.
The time of Ccknefi, or afHiiflion, is, like the
co:j1 of the day to Adam, a feafon of peculiar pro-
priety for the voice of God to be he rd ; and may
be impr.ived into a very advantageous opportunity
of begetting or increafing fpiritual Mfe. Hamnattdt
. Here perhaps
Some advantageous ai5l msy be achicvM
By fuddcn onlet, ciiKe,- with hell-tire
To wafte his wh^'le creation; or polTefs
All as our own. Milton.
2. It is uied with relation to perfons, and
followed by to.
Since every painter paints himfeirin his own
works, His advantageous to him to know himfelf,
to the end that he may cultivate thofe talents
which make his genius. Dryden*
AoVAMTA'ciOUSLlf. <J</i/. ^from ad-van-
I tageoiis.\
A D V
tagtcus.] Coftveniently ; opportunely ;
profitably.
it was ad-vaxtagnufiy fituMeJ, th«ie boirtg an
faly pifiage from it to India, by ll-a. Arhutbnil.
Advanta'ceousn'ess. n. /. [from ad-
-vantageous.] Quality of being advan-
tageous ; profirable^efs ; ufefulnefs ;
convenience.
The laft property, which qualifies Cod for the
fitteft objeft of our love, is the jd'VanuzMufnrf,
of hM to us, both in th. prefent and the future
»• AV,rr-.»r^ B'yl''' Seraphic Lo-vc.
To ADVE'NE. -v. «. [ad-^emc. Lat.] To
accede to fortefhing ; to become part
cffomethingeUe, without being effen-
tial ; to be fuperadded.
A caofe confiaercd in judicatnre, is ftilcd an
accident.) caufe ; and the accidental o( any aO,
i» faid to be whatever ailvtms to the aa itfelf al-
ready lubUantiatad. . ^yliff,-! P^rtrg^.
Adve KiENT. (uij. [ad-ueniens, Lat.] Ad-
vening; coming from outward caufes ;
laperaddeJ.
Being thus divided from truth in ttemCelves,
they are yet farther removed by d-vmni decep-
tion ; for they are dally mocked Into errour by
fubt,er dcvifers. Brnun', Vulgar Errourl.
If to fuppofe tlie foul a diftinft fubft.mce from
the body, and extrlnHcally ad-vcnUni, be a gren
error m philofuphj, almoft all the w.irlj ha'h
been midakea. GU„^UU, Vamiy of D^gmaiifm.
Advent, n. /. [from adventuj ; that is,
adv€«ius Rfdrmprorh.] The name of one
of the holy feafons, fignifying the com-
tngi that is, the coming of our Saviour ;
which is made the fubjeft of our devo-
tion during the four weeks before Chrift-
. ""^V Common Prayer.
Adventine. adj. [from aducnio. ad-
•ventum.] Adventitious ; that which is
extnnfically added ; that which comes
from outward caufes j a word fcarcely
in ufe. '
A^ V
A D V
As tor the peregrine heat, it is thus far true,
that, ,f the proportion of the aj^venrine heat be
greatly predominant to the natural heat and fpirits
Of the body. It tendcth to diffolution or notable al-
teration, „
A r JjiSCCK.
^?'''"J!""'- "''J- {'"^■^""ii'"'. Lat.]
i hat which advenes ; accidental ; fu-
pervenient; cxtrip/ically added, not
euentially inherent.
Difcafes of continuant get .in ad-vt^whu,
ftreng.h from cuftom, bef.dej their material caufe
irom thf humours. d
Though we may call the obvious coloursTa"-*
tural, and the others attvtmitim, ; yet fucli
changes of colours, from whatfoevep caufe thev
proceed, may be properly taken in. Bovli
li his blood boil, and th' aA-umkkus fire
*ais d by high meats, and higher win*», require
10 temper and ailay the burning heat ;
Waters are brought, which by dccoaion get
Newcoolncft. Drd
M up by lapidaries, th.-re are not above three or
lTLc\ "' °?r',' :»«•',■'-"*•«», as Z
fcre^; a'^'' '"'' ^'/'^J*' "»«''« from the dlf-
fcrem admixture of other *fo«,/i,;», mineral
Adve kt.ve. ;,./ [ftomad-venio. Latin.]
The thing or perfon that comes from
without : a word not now in ufe
malt'.'lt ""i'"' *" "■" '■'' '"^"y' ''•"'thrt there
may be elb.«-toom wough for them, and for the
mavtntnra aifo, „
Adve'ntual. ajj. [from ad-vtr^.] Re
fating to the feafon of advent
i do atfo daily «ft o« other collc« j ar, n^e
ly, the coljefts ad-ventnal, quadra?e(imal, pafchal.
or ptntecofta!, for their proper fe.ifonr.
ADVE'NTURE. „./ [Prench^^'"'"'""-^"'"
I . An accident ; a chance ; a hazard •
an event of which we have no direc-
tion.
The general fummoned three cables ; one def-
perate of fuc«ar, and not Jefirous to difputc the
defence, prefentiy yielded ; but two ftood upon
tJieir ad'Vevtarc. Hciiu - ^
2. In this fenfe is ufcd the phrafe, a/^//
ad-ventures; [a I' adventure, Fr.] By
chance ; without any rntiocal fcheme.
_ Blows flew at all adventurci, v.-ounds and deaths
g^ven and taken unexpcaed; many fcarce know-
ing their enemies from their friends. Hay-ward.
Where the mind does not perceive pmbable
conneilion, there men's opinions are the ctfefts
of chance and hazard, of a mind floating at all
td-Lc«iura, without choice and without direaion.
1. Th« occafjon of cafual events ; an en-
terpnfe in which fomething muft be left
to hazard.
For I moa love, and am refolv'd to try
My fate, or, failing in th' advexiure, die.
rpi. . , DrydiK.
4- I his noun, with all its derivatives, is
frequently written without «a'j as, -ven-
ture, -venturous.
To Adve'nture. -v. n. [ad-venturer. Fr.]
1. To try the chance; to dare.
Be not angry,
Moft mighty princefs, that I have ad-vntur'd
To try your taki ng ftf a falfe report. Sbak,fp,ari. '
ilK tender and delicate woman amorg you,'
which would not advtr^iure to ftt the fole of her
foot upon the ground, for delicatenefs and tender-
cr K ' Ucutir. xiviii. i6.
Tff Adventure, -v. a. To put into the
power of chance.
For my father fought for you, and advtr.turj
his life for, and delivered you out of the hand of
Mldian. ^ ,
it is otten nfed with the reciprocal
pronoun ; as, he ad-ventured him/elf.
Adventurer. „. / [ad-.entur,er, Yr.^
tic that feeks occafions of hazard ; he
that puts himfelf in the hands of chance.
He IS a great advctiiurtr, faid he.
That hath bis fword through hard alTay foregone.
The king! of England did not make thfc™.
queft of Ireland ; it was begun by particular ad-
■v<ntur,ri, and other voWntanes, who came to feck
their fortunes, S-rJ.Da-vU,.
He intended to ha«,d his own aSion, that fo
wl"?r J H ".''K*-' «i" 'd^tmurers, who elfe
were like to be Icf. forward. RaUM-.
Had It not been ft>r the Bfiti/h, which the ittc
war. drew over, and udn^,„,ur.r, or loldiers feated
been left delhtutc. \ ^", *
0»r merchant, ihall ng more ad-ve»t'rcr, be.
Adventuresome, adj. [from adien-
t'lre.] I he fame with ad-venturous: a
low word, fcarcely ufed in writing.
Adve nturesomeness. n.f. [from ad-
-venture/ome.] The quality of being ad-
vcnturefome. j)-^
Advzstvuovs. adj. [nd-ventureux, Fr. ]
I. He that IS inclined to adventures ; and,
confequently, bold, daring, courageous.
At land »nd fca, in many a doubtful fight.
Was never known a mo,,: ad-vint' rou, knight :
Who oftner drew hi, fw«d, and always for ths
2. Applted to things, that which is full
of hazard; which requires courage;
dangerous.
But I've already troubled you too long.
Nor dare attempt a more advent'rms fong.
My humble veife demands a fofter theme j
A pamtcd meadow, or a purling ftream. Jddifo,,.
Adventurously, adv. [from adven-
turous.] After an adventurous man-
ner; boldly; daringly.
They are both hanged; and fo would this be,
if he durft fteal any thing adwviuro;iJty.
Skaiifpcarr'sHenryV.
A'pVERB. n.f. [adverbium, Lat.] A word
joined to a verb or adjeftive, and folely
applied to the ufe-of qualifying and re-
ftraining the latitude of their fignifica-
tion, by the intimation of fome circui^i-
ftance thereof; as, of quality, manner,
degree. Clarke's Latin Grammar.
Thus we fay, he runs/wi/ily ; the bird
flies aJo/t ; he lives -virtuoujly.
Adve'rbial. adj. [ad-verbialis, Lat.]
That which has the quality or ftrufture
of an adverb.
Adve'rbially. adv. [adverhialiter, Lat.]
Like an adverb ; in the miitner of an
adverb.
I fliould think alta was joined advtrhially with
trcmu, did Virgil make ufe of fo equivocal «
'^l'"^^'^- Jddlfon.
Adve'rsable. a<^'. [from ad-ver/e.] Con-
trary to ; oppofite to. Dia.
ADVERSARIA. „./. [Lat. A book, as
It fliould feem, in which Debtor and
Creditor were fet in oppofition.] A
common-place ; a book to note in. '
Thefe parchments are fuppofed to have been St.
VM\%ad-,,,rf,rh. Buir, Sertfons.
Adversary. »./ [ad-ver/ai re, Fr. ad-
'ver/arius, Lat.] An opponent ; an-
tagonift ; enemy : generally applied to
thofe that have verbal or judicial quar-
rels ; ^ as, controvertifts or litigants :
fometimes to an opponent in fmgle com-
bat. It may fometimes imply an open
profeffion of enmity ; as we fay, a fecret
enemy is worfe than an open ad-vtr/ary.
Yet am I noble, as the ad-verfaj
I come to cope. Shakcjf care's Kwg Lear.
ihole rites and ceinnonies of the church,
therefore, which were the felf-fame now thit ther
were when holy and virtuous men maintained
them agajnft profnne and deriding adterfarUs, her
own children have in dcrifion. H^j,^^
Mean while th' ad-tjerfary of God and man,
Satan, with thoughts inflam'd, of highcft defign.
An ad'jcrfary malfes a ftnfler fcarch into us.
and d.fcnvers every flaw and imperfedtion. in out
tempers. A friend exaggerates a man's virtues ;
an enemy inflames his crimes. Add\fon.
A D V e'r s A t I v E . adj. [adver/ati-vus, Lat.l
A tem of grammar, applied to a word
whic^i makes fome oppofition or variety •
as, m this fcntencc; This diamond i,
or.ent, but it is rough. But is an adver.
Jaiive conjunction.
A'd V E R s E . adj. [ ad-verfus, Lat. ]
^..^^Pa"*^.," ^^^ ""'^ '*»« accent on
the firft fyllable; in verfe it is ac-
cented on tlie firll by Shake/peare ; on
either, indifTerently, by M,7/.„ ; on .the
lait, by DrjJen ; on the firft, by Rof.
common.
P 2
!• A£iiag
A D V
1. AfUng with contrary direftions ; as,
two bodies in colliflon.
Wu I for this nigh wreckt upon the fea.
And twice, by adtttrft winds, from England's bank
Drove back again unto my native dime } Sbaktfp.
As when two polar winds, blowing advrrfcy
Upon the Cronian fea together drive
Mountains of ice. Afilttn.
With cjvirje blaft upturns them from the fouth,
Notus and Afer. Milton.
A cloud of fmoke envelopes either hoft,
And all at once the combatants are loll ;
Darkling they join <irfi;«r/c, and Ihock unfcen ;
Xlourfers with couriers julUing, men with men.
Drydtn.
Z. Figuratively, contrary to the wi(h or
defxre ; thence, calamitous ; affliflive ;
pernicious. It is oppofed to pro/feroui.
What if he hath decreed, that I ihall iirll
Be try'd in humble ftate, and things adnierfr ;
By tribulations, injuries, infults,
Contempts, and fcorns, and fnares, and violence.
Some the prevailing malice of the great,
Unhappy a>en, or adverfe fate,
Sunk deep into the gulfs of an afflided ftate.
Rcfcommtn.
5. Perfonally opponent ; the perfon that
countera^ls another, or contefts any
thing.
Well Ihe faw her father was grown her adverfe
yarty ; and yet her fortune fucb, as flie muft fa- ^
vour her rivals. Sidmy, :
'A'dversely. atl-v, [from ad'verfe7\ In'
an adverfe manner ; oppofitely ; unfor-
tonately. '
Whit I thirfk, 1 utter, and fpcnd my malice in
my breath. Jf the drink you give me touch my
jaUtte ad-uerfeiy, I make a crooked face at it.
Sbakeffieare.
Adve'rsity. n./. \_ad'vtrfiti , Fr.] M- ,
fliftion ; calamity ; that is, oppofition
«o our wifhes.
a. The caufe of our forrow ; affllflron ;
' misfortune. In this fenfe it may have
a plural.
Let me embrace thefe foMradverJrties,
for wife men fay, it is the wifefl courfe.
Sbakefpeare^ s Hertry VI.
3. The ftate «fur^ap{)inefs ; mifery.
Concerning deliverdnce itfclf fioiR all advcrfiryy
we ufe not to fay men are in ad-verjit^y v.'henf*iever
.they feel any fmall hindcrance of their welfare in;
this world, but when fome notable alfliiSion cr
-crofs, fame great calamity or trouble, befalletit
them. Htukin,
Sweet are the ufes of adverfiiy^
Which, like the tosd, ugly and venomous,
'Wears yet a pxf cious jewel in his head.
i^bfikc^ptare,
A remembrance of the good ufe he had made
©f profpcrity, contributed to fupport his mind ur,-'
der the heavy weight oi Adverjity, which then lay
upon him. Attt.rhury,
Vo ADVE'RT. -v. n. [aJ-verto, Lat.] To
attend to ; to regard ; to obfcrve ; with
the particle ie before the objedt of re-
gard.
The mind of man ijeing not capable at once
to advert to more than one thing, a particular view
and examination of ftich an innumerable number
K)f vail bodice, will alTord matter of admiration.
Ray en the Creation,
Now 'to the univerfal whole advert ;
The earth regard as of that whole a part ;
In which wide frame more noble worlds abound ;
Wicnefa, ye glorious orbs, which hang around.
Bitckmore,
We fomctimes fay,' Ta advert ihi mind
to an -^jeS.
A f)V
Adve'rtbnce. »./. [from <ufc«-/.] At-
tention><o ; regard to ; confideration.
ChriRianity may make Archimedes his chai-
- lenge ; give it but where it may fet its foot-;
allow but a fober advertence to its propofals, and it
will move the whole world. Decay ofPieiy.
Adve'rtency. w./. [from.ad'vert.'l The
fame with advertence. Attention ; re-
gard ; heedfulnels.
Too much advertency is not your talent ; or
clfe you had Hed irom that text, as from a rock.
Sivi/t,
Adve'rt£NT. adj. [from ad-vert.'] At-
tentive ; vigilant ; heedful.
This requires choice parts, great attention of
mind, fcqueftration from the importunity of fecu-
lar employments, and a long advertent and deli-
berate connexing of confequents.
■Hale^s Origin of Mankind.
To ADVERTrSE. v. a. [ad-vertir. Fr.
It is now fpoken with the accent upon
the laft fyllable ; but appears to have
been anciently accented on -the fe-
cond.]
1. To inform another; to give intelli-
gence ; witli an accufative of the per-
fon informed.
The bifliop did require a rcfpite.
Wherein he might the king Ills lord adveriije.
Whether our daughter were legitimate.
Shakefpeare.
As I by iriends am well flJvertj/ii/,
Sir Edmund Courtney, and the haughty prelate,
With many more confederates, are in arms. Sbak.
The king was not fo fliallow, nor fo ill advcr-
tifed, as not to perceive the intention of the French
king. Bacon.
I hope ye will advertife me fairly of what they
diflikf. J^igh-
2. To inform ; to give notice ; with q/"
before the fubjeft of information.
Ferhatcs, underftanding that Solyman expefled
more aflurcJ advertifement, onti> the other BafTas
declared the death of the emperor; o/" which they
/i</ai<Tri/i</ Solyman, filming thofe Jetters with all
their hands and feals.
Knol/ei's Hi/iory of tie Turk!.
They were to advertife the chief hero of the
difti-efTes of his fubjedls, occafioned by his ab-
fence. Drydcn.
3. To give notice of any thing, by means
of an ttdwertifement in the public prints ;
as. He advertifed bis loft.
Adverti'sement, or Adve'rtise-
MENT. n.f. [adverliffement, Fr.]
1. Inftruftion ; admonition.
— 'Tis all men's office to fpeak pati.nce
To thofc, that wring under the load of forrow;
But no man's virtue nor fufficiency.
To be fo moral, when he fhall endure
The like himfcif : therefore give me no counfel ;
My grie'fs are louder than advertifemcnt.
St/ikcfprare^s Much ado about Nothirg.
Cyras was once minded to have put Crcefus to
death ; but hearing him report the adveitifeinent
of Solon, he fparcd his liCe.
Aiiit'i 'Dcfcripticn ef tbe IVerld.
2. Intelligence ; information.
Then, as a cunning prince that ufeth fpics,
If they return no news, doth nothing know ;
But if they make advertifemer.t of lies,
The prince's counfel all awry do go.
Sir y-ybn Daviei.
He had received advertifttnent, that the party,
which was fent for his relief, had received fome
bru)h, which would much retard their march.
■ ' '^ ■ V'arendan.'
The drum and trumpet, by their feveral founds,'
fcrve for many kinds ot advertifements, in military
affairs! the bells ferve to proclaim afcarc-flre; andj
IB iume places, water-bteacheS} the <itpartuie of
A D V
a min, woman, ot child ; time of divine fervic*;
the hour of the day; day of the month. Holder,
3. Notice of any thing publilhed in a pa-
per of intelligence.
Adverti'ser. n./. [czdverli/eur, Fr.]
1 . He that gives intelligence or information.
2. The paper in which advertifements arc
publilhed.
Adve'rtisinc, or Ad vert I's inc. /ar/.
adj. [from ad-verti/e."] Aftive in giving
intelligence ; monitory : a word not
now in ufe.
As I was then
Mvertifing, and holy to your bufinefs.
Not changing heart with habit, 1 am lliU
Attornied at your fcrvice. Sbakefp. Meaf.for Meaf.
To Adve'sperate. 'v.n. [^ad-ve/pero, Lat.]
To draw towards evening. Di3.
Advi'ce. n. /. [avis, ad-vis, Fr. from ad-
"vifo, low Lat.]
1. Counfel; inlirnftion : except that in-
ftrudion implies fuperiority, and adt>ice
may be given by equals or inferiors.
Break we our Watch up, and, by my advice^
Let us impart what we liavc fcen to-night
Unto young Hamlet. Sbaktfp. Hamlet,
0 troubled, weak, and coward, as thou art!
Without thy poor advice, the lab'ring heart
To worfe extremes with fwifter fteps would run ;
Not fav'd by virtue, yet by vice undone. Prior,
2. Refleftion i prudent confideration : as,
he always afts with good adi'ice.
What he hath won, that he hath fortified :
So hot a fpeed, with fuch advice difpos'd.
Such temperate order, in fo fierce a courfe.
Doth want example. Sbakefp. Kiirg yattt.
3. Confultation ; deliberation : with the
particle •wili.
Great princes, takii;g -advice tvitb workmen,
with no Icfs cofl, fet their things together.
Baccn*s FJ/iiyr.
4. Intelligence: as, the merchants received
ad-vice of their lofs. This fenfe is ibme-
what low, and chiefly commercial.
Advi'ce-boat. n.f. A veflel employed
to bring intelligence.
Advi'sable. adj. [from ad-vife. ] Prudent ;
fit to be advifed. • '
Some judge it advifahle for a man to account
with his heart every day ; and this, no doubt, is
the bed and lurcft courfe; for ftill ihe oftner, the
better. . Soutb^i Sermonu
It is not advifahle to reward, whe.c men have
the tendcmefs not to punifh. L'EJirange's Fablet,
Anvi'sABLENEss. »./. [^ttom advi/able.l
The quality of being advifable, or lit ;
fitnefs ; propriety.
To ADVrSE. -v. a. [aJ-vl/er, Fr.]
I.. To counfel : with the particle to before
the tiling advifed.
If you do ftir abroad, go-Brm'd.
Arm'd, brother!
Brother, 1 advife you to the bed.
Sbakefp. f^ing Lear,
1 would advife all gentlemen to learn merchants
account!, and not to think it a fkill that belongs not
to them. Locke,
When I confider the fcruplcs and cautions I here
lay in your way, methinks it looks as if 1 advifed
you to fomcthing which I would have oilered at,
but in effefl nut done. Locke.
2. To give information 4 to inform ; to
make acquainted with an^y thing : often
with the particle o/'before the thing told.
'i'^ou were advis'd, his flelh was capable
Of wiunds and fcirs ; and that his forward fpirit
Would liftjiim, whccemoft trade of danger rang'd.
Sbakefpeare.
.Sttch
A D V
A D U
A D U
Such difcourfe bring on«
As may advife him o/"his happy (lace;
Happinefs in his pow'r, left free to will.
ParaJi/e Loft.
A pofting mcflenger difpatch'd from hence,
0/"this fair troop advit'd their aged prince.
Dryden^s ^ne'id.
To Advi'se. v. n.
1 . To confult : with the particle luith be-
fore the perfon coaiulted ; as, be adiiijed
txjhh his companions.
2. To confider 4 to deliberate.
Advife if this be worth
Attempting, or to fit in darknefs here,
Hatching vain empires.
Miltni's Parad'ife Ltfi, b. ii.
Av>vist.T>. participial adj. [from ad'vift.'\
1 . A Aing with deliberation and defign ;
prudent ; wife.
Let his travel appearrather in bis difcourfe, than
in his apparel or gefture ; and, -in his difcourfe,
let him be rather adnjijed in his anfwers, than for-
-ward to tell ftories. Bacon t Efjays.
Th* Almighty Father, where he fits
Shrin'd in his fanftuary of heav'n fecure,
Confulting on the fum of things forefeen.
This tumult, and permitted a>l, ad-vh^d,
Faradijl LoJI, b. vi.
2. Performed with deliberation J done on
purpole ; adled with defign.
By that which we work naturally, as, when we
breathe, fleep, and move, we fet forth the glory
of God, as natural agents do ; albeit we have no
-cxprefs purpofe to make that our end, nor any ad-
vijid determinatioa therein to follow a law.
Hunker, b. i. p. 49.
In my fchool-days, when I had loft one Ihaft,
1 (hot his fellow of the felf-fame flight.
The felf-fame way, with more advijtd watch.
To find the other forth ; by vent'ring both,
I oft found both. Stakiff. Mtrcbant of Venice.
Advi'sedly. ad'v. \^ioai adv[fed.'\ So-
berly ; heedfully ; deliberately ; pur-
pofely ; by defign ; prudently.
'J'his h(Xi\c,tidvifcdly read and diligently followed
-but one year at home, would do more good than
three years travel abroad. Ajcham.
Surprife may be made by moving things, when
the pirty is in hade, and cannot ftay to confii*;r
edvijedlj of that which is moved.
Bacortf EJfay xxiii.
Thou (iileft fecond thoughts (by all allowed the
bcl^) a relapfe, and accufett conflancy of mifchief
in what is natural, and adnjijedly undertalcen.
^';V Jnbn SuckTirg.
Advi'sedness. n./. [from ad'vi/ed.] De-
liberation ; cool and prudent procedure.
While things are in agitation, private men may
modeftly tender their thoughts to the confideration
of thofe that are in authority; to whofe care it
belnngeth, in prefcribing concerning indilf^rent
things, to proceed witli all juft advijedncji and mo-
deration. Sauttderjon^i 'Judgment in one t^inv.
Advi'sement. n./. [ad-v i/eme«e, Fr.]
I. Counfel ; information.
Mote I wote,
What ftrange adventure do ye now purfue ?
Perhaps my fuccour, or advijement meet,
Mote {lead you much. Fairj Siueen.
I will, according to your ad'vljtment, declare the
«Til5, which fcem mod hurtful.
Sffnfer't Stall of Ireland.
a. It is taken likewife, in old writers, for
prudence and circumfpedlioa. It is now,
in both fenfes, antiquated.
Advi'ser. n.y". [(roai ad'vi/e,'] The per-
fon that advifes, or gives counfel j a
^ounfellor.
Mac, free from court-compli»nc«, he walks,
Aad with hUniclf, his beft advifer, ttlki.
fTaJler.
They never fail of their moll artful and indefa-
tigable addrefs, to filence the impertinent advifer,
whofe feverity awes their exceffes.
Rijgers^s Sermons.
AduLa'tiON. n./. [adulation, Fr. adula-
tio, Lat.] FLittery ; high co.aipliment.
O be ficic, great Greatnefs I
And by thy ceremony give thee cure.
Think'il thou the fiery fever will go out
With titles blown from adulation ?
Staic^earc's Henry V.
They who flattered him moft before, men'ioned
him now with the greateft bitternefs, without im-
pudng the leaft crime to him, committed fmce the
time of that exalted adulation, or that was not ihen
as much knowa to them, as it could be now.
Clarendon,
Adula'tor. ?;./ [adulator, Lat.] A flat-
terer. Dm.
A'dulatory. adj. [adulatorius, Lat.]
Flattering; full of compliments.
ADU'LT. adj. [adu/tus, Lat.] Grown up;
paft the age of infancy and weaknefs.
They would appear Icfs able to approve themfelvcs,
not only to the confeflbr, brjt even to the catechill,
in their adult age, than they were in their minority ;
as having fcarce ever thought of the principles of
their religion, fmce they conned them to avoid
correction. De^ay of Piety.
The earth, by thefe applauded fchools, 'tis faiJ,
This fingle crop of men and women bred ;
Who g own adult, fo chance, it feems, enjoin'd.
Did, male and female, propagate their kind.
Blackmare.
Adu'lt. n.f. A perfon above the age of
infancy, or grown to fome degree of^
ftrength ; fometimes full grown: a word
ufed chiefly by medicinal writers.
The deprefiion of the cranium, without a frac-
ture, can but feldom occur ; and then it happens
to children, whofe bones are more pliable and foft
than thofe of adults, Sharp's Surgery.
.■^Dtj'LTNESS. n.f. [from adult.'\ The
ftate of being adult. See Adoles-
cence. Dm.
To Adu'lt ER. v. a. [adulterer, Fr.adul-
tero, Lat.] To commit adultery with
another : a word not claffical.
His challewife
He iiifa/rff-i ftill : his thoughts lie with. a whorr.
Ben yonjon.
Adu'lter ANT. ». y; [adulteraiii, Lat.]
The perfon or thing which adulterates.
7» Adu'lterate. 'V. a. [adulterer, Fr.
adultero, Lat.]
1. To commit adultery.
But fortimc, ohi
yidullcralet hourly with thine uncle John.
Sbakejpearc,
2. To corrupt by fome foreign admixture;
to contaminate.
Common pot-alhcs, bought of them tiiat fell it
in Ihops, who arc not f.> foolifhly kiiavilh as to
adulterate them with (alt-petrc, which is much
dearer thaii p<-.t-alhei. Boyle.
Cuulil a man be compofcd to fuch an advantage
of conilitutii'H, that it Ihould not at all adulterate
the images of his mind ; yet this fecond nature
would altcrthe crafis of liis undeiftinding.
■ Glanville's Scepjh Scienrifi.a, c» xvi.
The prefent war has fo adulterated our tongue
with llrangc words, that it would be impoflible for
one of our great-grandfathers to know what his
pofterity have been doing. . Spcilaior.
Adu'lter ate. adj. [from To adulterat^e.']
I. Tainted with the guilt of adultery.
I. am pofTcls'd with an adulterate h\ot\
My blood is mingled with the grime of luft;
Being ftruropetcd by thy contagion.
Sbakcjpcartt Cmedy ofEp-ori,
—That inceftuous, that adulterate beaft.
Shakefpeam
I. Corrupted with fome foreign mixture.
It does indeed differ no more, than the makef
of adulterate wares does from the vender of them.
Govirnment of the Tmgue.
They will have all their gold and filver, and
may keep their adulterate copper at home.
Swift's Mifcellan'iet.
Adu'lter ate NEss.n./[fromWa//^rart.]
The quality or ftate of being adulterate,
or counterfeit.
Adulter a't ion. n.f. [from adulterate. ]
1. The ait of adulterating or corrupting
by foreign mixture ; contamination.
To make the compound pals for the rich metal
fimple, is an adulteration, or counterfeiting : but
if it be done avowedly, and without dif^ju-fing, it
may be a great faviiig of the richer metal.
Bacon's Natural Hifory, No 798.
2. TJie ftate of being adulterated, or con-
taminated.
Such tranflations are like the adulteration of the
nbbleft wines, where fomething of the colour, fpirit,
and flavour, will remain. Feltcn on the Clajpcs.
Adu'lTerer. n.f. [adulter, Lat.] The
perfon guilty of adultery.
With what impatience mult the mufe behold
The wife by her procuring hulband fold ;
For tho' the law makes null th' adulterer's deed
Of lands to her, the cuckold may fucceed.
Drydcn's Juvenal.
Adu'lteress. n.f. [from adulterer.^ A
woman that commits adultery.
The Spartan lady replied, when (he was artced.
What was the punifljment for adulterrjps f There
are no fuch things here.
Government of the Tongue, § 3.
Helen's rich attite,
From Argos by the fam'd aduli'refs brought.
With golden flow'rs and winding foliage wrought.
Dryden's Virgil,
A D u'l T E R I N E . tt.f. [adulterine, Fr. adul-
terinits, Lat.] A child born of an adul-
terefs : a term of canon law.
Adu'lterous.«^'. [adulter, La.t.'\ Guilty
of adultery.
Th' adulterous Antony, moft large
In his abominations, turns you off,
And gives his potent regiment to i trull.
That nofes it agaitill us.
Shakcjpeare's Antony and Cleopatra,
An adulterous perlon is tied to reftitufion of
the injury, fo far as it is reparable ■, and to make
provifion for the children, that they may not injure
the legitimate, Taylor.
Think on whofe faith th' aduli'rous youth rely'd ;
Who promii'd, who p rocur'd the Spartan bride ?
Dryden's JEneid.
ADU'LTERY. n. f. [adulterium, Lat.]
The aft of violating the bed of a mar-
ried perfon.
All thy domeflic griefs at home be left,
The wife's adult' ry, with the fcivant's theft;
And (the moft racking thought which can intrude)
Forget falfe friends, and their ingratitude.
Dryden's Juvenal^
Adu'mbrant. adj. [from adumbrate.'\
That which gives a flight refemblance.
To ADU'MBRATE. -v. a. [adumbro, Lat.]
To {hadow out ; to give a flight like-
nefs ; to exhibit a faint refemblance,
like that which fliadows afford of the
bodies which they reprefent.
Heaven is defigned for our reward, as well as
refcue ; and therefore Is adumbrated by all thofe
pofitive excellencies, which can endear or recom-
mend. Decay of Piety.
Adumbra'ticn. n.f. [horn adumbrate.}
1 . The
A D V
I. The aft of adumbrating, or giving a
flight and imperfeft reprefentation. See
AOUMBKATE.
To make feme adumbratitn of that we mean,
it it rather an impullion or contufion of the air,
thao an elifioa or fedion of the fame*
Bae. Nat. Hip, N" iSr-
X. The flight and imperfea reprefentation
of a thing ; a faint fltetch.
The eblervcrt view but the backfide of the h ing-
ings ; the right one is on the other fide the grave :
and our knowledge is but like thofe broken ends ;
at bed a moil confufeJ adumbration.
Clanville't Scefjii Scientifica.
Thofe of the firft fort have fome aJumbration
of the rational nature, as vegeublcs have of the
fenfible. ««'''' Origin.
Advna'tion. »./. [from ad and «»«/,
Lat.] The ftate of being united ; union :
a word of little ufe.
When, by glaciation, wood, draw, duft, anJ
water, are fuppofcd to be united into one lump,
the cold does not caufe any real union or attunalhti,
but only hardening the aqueous parts of the liquor
into ice, the other bodies, being accidentally pre-
(ent in that liquor, are frozen up in it, but not
really united. BoyU.
Aou'NCiTY.n./. [«<A«»a>flx, Lat.] Crook-
ednefs ; flexure inwards j hookednefs.
There can be no queftion, but the aJunc'itj of
the pounces and beaks of the hawks, is the caufe
of the great and habitual immorality of thofe ani-
mals. Arittibmt and Pope's Mart. Scrih.
Avv'KQVi.adj. [WawfBJ.Lat.] Crooked;
bending inwards ; hooked.
The birds that are fpeakers, are pariots, pies,
jays, daws, and ravens ; of which parrots have an
mdungut bill, hut the relV not.
Bacons Nat. Hi/I. N° 238.
A'dvocacy. »./. [from advocate.] The
Z^ of pleading ; vindication ; defence :
apology ; a word in little ufe.
If any there are who are of opinion that there
Sre no antipodes, or that the ftars do fall, they
Ihall not want herein the applaufe or advocacy of
Satan. Brotuni l^ulgar Errourt, h. i.
. A'DVOCATE. «./. [adiwcatus, hiit.]
1 . He that pleads the caufe of another in
a court of judicature.
An advcca'i, in the general import of the word,
is that perfon who has the pleading and manage-
ment of a judicial caufe. In a ftriS way of fpeak-
ing, only that perfon is (tiled advocate, who is the
patron of the caufe, and is often,-in Latin, termed
togaliis, and, in £ngli{h, a perfon of the long
robe. ^yliffe's Parergon.
Learn whatthou ow'ft thy country and thy friend ;
What's ttquifite to fpare, and what to fpend :
Learn this ; and, after, envy not the (lore
;. 0$ the greas'd tdvocaU that grinds the poor.
1 ■rri Drydcn's Ptrjiuu
2. He that pleads any caufe, in whatever
manner, as a controvertift or vindicator.
If Oie dares trull me with her litcic babo,
I'll (hew 't the king, and undertake to be
Her advocate to the loud'ft. Sbakefp. riatttlct.
Of the feveral forms of government that have
been, or are, in the world, that caufe fcems com-
m»iiy the better, that bas the better advocate, or
Is. advantaged by frelher experience*
Tcir/ile'i Mifcellanies.
3. It is ufed with the particle for before
the perfon or thing, in whofe favour the
plea is offered.
Foes to all living worth except your own,
And advocates fir folly dead and gone.
Ptfc's Bpijiks,
4. In the fcriptural and facrcd fenfe, it
Hands for one of the oiBces of our Re-
deemer,
A E
^ Me his aJvocMi,
And propitiation ; all his works on me,
•jood, or not good, ingraft. Milton's Parai. Lcjl.
Advoca'tion. n.f. [from ad'vocate.'] The
office or aft of pleading ; plea ; apology.
My advocation is not now in tune;
My lord i» not my lord ; nor fliould I know him.
Were be in favour, as in humour, alter'd.
Shaktffeare's Othello.
Advola'tion. ». _/! [advalo, ad-volattmt,
Lat.l The aft of flying to fomething.
■^ Dia.
Advolv'tion. n.f. [fl</W«/»e, Lat.] The
aft of rolling to fomething.
Advo'utrv. n. f. [avotttrie, Fr.] A-
dultery.
He was the moft perfidi*u9 man upon the earth,
and he had made a marriage compounded between
an advontry and a rape, Bacen's Henry Vll.
Advowe'. n.f. He that has the right of
advowfon. See Advowson.
Advo'wson, or Advo'wzen, n.f. [In
common law.] A right to prefent to a
benefice, and fignifies as much as Jus
Patronatus. In the canon law, it is fo
termed, becaufe they that originally ob-
tained the right of prefenting to any
church, were great benefaftors thereto ;
and are therefore termed fometimes Pn-
troni, fometimes Advocati. Convell.
To Adu're. v. n. [aduro, Lat.] To burn
up : not in ufe.
Such a degree of heat, which doth neither melt
nor ftorch, doth mellow, and not adure.
Bacon's Nat. Htji.ti" 319-
Adu'st. adj. \aduftus, Lat.]
1. Burnt up; hot as with fire ; fcorched.
By this means, the virtual heat of the water
will enter ; and fuch a heat as will not make the
body adufl, or fragile. Bacon.
Which with torrid heat.
And vapours as the I^ibyan air adujl.
Began to parch that temperate clime.
Milton's Paradr hoji.
2. It is generally now applied, in a me-
dicinal or philofophical fenfe, to the
complexion and humours of the body.
Such humours arc «(/»/, as, by long heat, become
of a hot and fiery nature, as choler, and the like.
Stuincy.
To eafe the foal of one oppreflive weight.
This quits an empire, that embroils a ftate.
The farse aduJI complexion has impell'd
Charles to.thc convent, Philip to the field. Pope.
Adtj'sted. adj. [See Adust.]
1. Burnt; fcorched; dried with fire.
Sulphurous and nitrous foam
They found, they mingled, and with fubtle art
Concofted, and adtijicd, they reduc'd
To bhckell: grain, and into ftore convey'd.
Paradife Lojl.
2. Hot, as the complexion.
They arc but the fruits of aduficd choler, and
the evaporations of a vindicative fpirit. Howell.
Adu'stible. adj.\(Tom aduJl.] That
which may be adufted, or burnt up. Di^.
Abu'stion. n.f. [from «(/»/?.] The aft
of burning up, or drying, as hy fire.
This is ordinarily a confequcnce of a burning
colliquative fever ; the foftcr parts being melted
away, the heat continuing its adujiion, upon the
drier and flefliy parts, changes into a marcid fever.
Harvey on Confumptions.
Adz. n.f. SeeAoDicB.
AE, or M. A diphthong of very fre-
quent ufe in the Latin language, which
feems not properly to have any place in
the Englifli ; fmcc the et of the Saxons
A E R
has been long out of ufe, being changed
to e fimple, to which, in words fre-
quently occurring, the <jrof the Romans
is, in the fame manner, altered, as in
equatir, equinoSial, and even in Eneat.
yE'ciLOPS. H.f. [ntytKu-^, Gr. fignifying
goat-eyed, the goat being fubjeft to this
ailment.] A tumour or fweHing in the
great corner of the eye, by the root of
the nofe, either with or without an in-
flammation : alfo a plant fo called, for
its fuppofed virtues againft fuch a dif-
temper. ^incy.
^gilops is a tubercle in the inner canthui of
the eye. fVifeman's Surgery,
JE'glogv?.. n. f. [written inftead of
eclogue, from a mi(?aken etymology.] A
pailoral ; a dialogue in verfe between
goat-l^rds.
Which moved him rather in plagues otherwife
to write, doubting, perhaps, his ability, which he*
little needed, or minding to furnilh our tongue
with this kind wherein it faultcth.
Spenfer^s Pajlorals,
JEgyvti'acvh. n.f. An ointment con-
fifting only of honey, verdigreafe, and
vinegar. ^inty.
Ml, or Eal, or Al [in compound names,
as Tia.) in the Greek compounds] figni-
fies all. Or altogether. So JElvjin is a
complete conqueror : Albert, all illujlrieus :
Aldred, altogether reverend : Alfred, alto-
gether peaceful. To tbefe PammachiuSf
Pancratius, P amphilius , Sic. do in fome
meafure anfwer. Gibfon's Camden^
Mhv [which, according to various dia-
lefts, is pronounced ulf, tuelph, hulph,
hilp, helfc, and, at this day, help] im-
plies afTiftance. SoAElfiuin is 'v'tSorious ;
and j^lpuiold, an auxiliary go-vernour j
j^lfgifa, a lender . of ajfjlance : with
which Boetius, Symmachus, Epicurus, Sec
bear a plain analogy. Gibfon's Camden.
jEni'gma. See Enigma.
Ae'rial. adj. [ai'rius, Lat.]
1. Belonging to the air, as confining of it.
The thunder, when to roll
With terrour through the darkuirifl/hall,
Paradife Lcji.
From all that can with fins or feathers fly.
Thro' the aerial or the wat'ry {ky. Prior.
T gathered the thicknefs of the air, or aerial in-
terval, of the glafles at that ring.
Nrwtsn's Opticktr
Vegetables abound more with aerial particics
than animal fubftances. jirhutbnot on Aliments.
2. Produced by the air.
The gifts of heav'n my foU'wJng fong purfues^
Aerial honey, and anibrolial dews.
Dryden's firg, Georf.
3. Inhabiting the air.
Where thofe immortal fliapcs
Of bright aerial fpirits live infpher'd.
In regions mild, of calm and fercnc air.
Paradife Regained,
Aerial anim^U maybe fubdivideJ into birds and
flies, , Lode.
4. Placed in the air.
Here I'ubterranean works^ and cities fee.
There towns aer'uiJ on the waving tree.
Pope's Efpjy tn Man.
5. High ; elevated in fttuauon, and therc»
fore in the air.
A fpocious city ftood, with flrmeft walls
Sure mounded, and with numerous turrets crown'd.
Aerial fpires, and citadels, the feat
Of kings and heroes refolute in war. Philips.
A'SRIK.
A F F
A'ERtE. n. f. [airie, Fr.] The proper
word, in hawks and other birds of prey,
for that which we generally call a neft
in other birds. Coivell.
Aero'logy. n./. [aie and \oy&; Gr.]
The doctrine of the *r.
A'eromancv. «./. [aif and fia»)i?> Gr.]
The art of divining by the air. Dii?.
Aero'metry. »./ [i^ and (x/l^iV] The
art of meafuring the air. DiiS.
Aero'scopy. ft./. [a)ij and <r«V1«, Gr.]
The obfervation of the air. DriS.
.S'thiops-mineral. «./ A medicine
fo called, from its dark colour, prepar-
ed of quickfilver and fulphur, ground
together in a marble mortar to a black
powder. Such as have ufed it moil,
think its virtues not very great, ^incy.
^ti'tes. »./ [i(T^, an eagle.] Eagle-
ftone. It is about the bignefs of a chell-
nut, and hollow, with fomewhat in it
that rattles upon fhaking. ^imy.
Afa'r. adv. [from a and at., and/ar.]
See Far.
1 . At a great diftance.
So ihaken as we are, fo wan with care.
Find we a time for frighted peace to pant,
And breathe (hort-winded accents of new broils,
To be commenc'd in ftroudj afar remote ?
Sbaiefpttirt'% Henry IV.
We hear better when we hold our breath than
contrary ; infomuch as in liftening to attain a
foonil tfir off, men hold th«ir breith.
Bacm'i Natural Htjiory, N° 284.
n. To or from a great diftance.
Heftor hiftcntd to relieve his boy ;
Difmifs'd his burnilk'd helm that (hone tfar.
The pride of warriours, and the pomp of war.
Dryden.
3. From afar ; from a diftant place.
The rough Vulturr.us, furious in its courfe,
With rapid dreams divides the fruitful grounds,
And/roBi afar in hollow murmur (bunds.
Addifon on holy.
4. Afar off; remotely diftant.
Much fufpcfling his fecrct ends, he entertained
a treaty of peace with Frante, but fecretly and
afar off, and to be governed as occaiiors (hnild
\3xv. Sir J'^hn HayivarJ.
Afe'ard. pJiTt'uifial adj. [from to fear,
for to fright, with a redundant.]
a. Frighted ; terrified ; afraid.
He loudly bray'd, that like was never heard.
And from his wide devouring oven fer.t
A fhke of fire, that flafliing in hia beard,
Him ail amaz'd, and almoft trnit aftard.
Fahy Siutert.
But fell me, Hal, art thou not horridly afiardf
Thon being heir apparent, could the world pick
thee out three fuch enemies again.
Shaiefptari't Henry IV.
Till h« cherifli too much beard.
And make Love, or me, afrard.
Ben yanfoni Underivsodj.
2. It has the particle of before the objeft
of fear.
Fear is defcribed by Spenfer to ride in armour,
at the claihing whereof he looks afeard o/himfelf.
Peacbam.
It is now obfelete ; the laft author
whom I have found ufing it, is Sedley.
jTFER. n.f. [Lat.] The fouth-weft wind.
With adveric blaft upturni them from the
fouth,
Notut and Afer, black with thund'rous clouds.
Milieu' I Paradife Lifi. It. x.
Afpab j'lity. n.f. [affaiilile. Ft. af.
fabilitai, Lau See AFPAii«i.] T'.e
A F F
quality of being affable? eafinefs of
manners; courteoufnefs ; civility ; con-
defcenfion. It is commonly ufed of
fuperiours.
Hearing of her beauty and her wit.
Her affaiiiity and bailifu! nioderty,
Her wond'rous qualities, and mild behaviour.
Sbakefpcar£.
He was of a mod flowing courtefy and affabi-
lity to all men, and fo defirous to oblige them,
that he did not enough confider the value of the
obligation, or the merit of the perfon. Clarend.
All inftinces of charity, fwcecnefs of converfa-
tloi', affabil'uy, admonition, all (ignifications ol
tendernefs, care, and watchfulnefs, mud be ex-
prefl'ed towards children. Taylor.
It is impoilible for a publick minifter to be fo
open and eafy to all his old friends, as he was in
his priva;e condition ; but this may be helped out
by an affability of addrefs. VEjirangi.
A'FFABLE. adj. [affable, Fr. affahilis,
Lat.]
1. Eafy of manners; accoftable ; cour-
teous ; complaifant. It is ufed of fu-
periours.
He waj affable, and b«th well and fair fpoken,
and would ufe ftrange fweetnefs and blandilh-
ment of words, where he delired to afFe^ or per-
fuade any thing that he took to heart. Baccn.
Her father is
An affable and courteous gentleman.
Shaktjft. Tarn* Shrew.
Gentle to me and affable hath been
Thy condefcenfion, and (liall be honour'd ever
With graceful memoty. Mit'tan'i Par. Lo/1, b. viii.
2. It is applied to the external appear-
ance; benign; mild; favourable.
Augudus appeared, loi-king round him with a
fcrene and affable countenance upon all the
writers of his age. Tatlir.
A'ffableness. n. f. [from affable. '\
Courtefy ; affability.
A'ffably. adv. [from affable.'] In an
. affable manner ; courteoufly ; civilly.
A'fpabrous. adj. [affabre, Fr.] Skil-
fully made ; complete ; iinilhed in a
workman-like manner. DUl.
Aff abula'tion. n.f. \affabulatu>, Lat.]
The moral of a fable. Dia.
Affa'ir. n.f, [affaire, Fr.] Bufinefs ;
fomething to be managed or tranlafted.
It is ufed for both private and public
matters.
1 wai not born for courts or great affairi ;
I pay my debts, believe, and fay my prayers. Pofie. '
A good acquaintance with method will greatly
alTiii every one in ranging, difpofing, and manag-
ing all human affairs. tVatti's Lcg'uk.
Wh.it St. John's (kill in date affairs.
What Orm'>nd's valour, Oxford'^ cares,
To aid their (inking country lent.
Was all dcftroy'd by one cv -nt. Sivift.
To Afpe'ar. v. n. [from affer, Fr.] To
confirm ; to give a fandion to ; to
eftablifti : an old, term of law.
Bleed, bleed, poor country !
Great tyranny, lay thou thy balis furc;
For gnodncfs ilares not check thee !
His title is offrar'd. Sbattfp. Marheth.
Affe'ct. n.f. [from the verb nffeB.]
1. Affeftion ; pafllon ; fenfation.
It leemcth that as the feet have a fymprthy
with the head, fo the wrifts have a fympathy
with the heart; we fee the affeds and pallions of i
the heart and fpirits are notably difclofed by the
pulfe. Bacon's Natural Hifliry, a" ij-j.
z. Quality; circumftance.
1 (ind it difficult to make out one fmgle ulcer,
as authors defcrifae it, without other fjmptoms or
affea-. joined to it. ifijcman.
A F F
This IS only the antiquated worJ for
affeiiion.
To AFFE'CT. t/. a. [affe^er, Fr. affdo,
affeilum, Lat.]
1 . To aft upon ; to produce effefts in any
other thing.
The fun
Had (ird his precept fo to move, fo /hine.
As might afftSi'Cm earth with cold and heat,
Scarce tolerable. Milton's Paradife Lojf, h. x,
The generality of men are wholly governed by
names, in matters of good and evil ; fo far ae
thefe qualities relate to, and aff^^, the a£^ions of
men. Soutb's Sermons.
Yet even thofe two particles do reciprocally
afftB each other with the fame force and vigour,
ii they would do at the fame didance in any other
fituation imaginable. Ben'ley's Sermons,
2. To move the paffions.
As a thinking man cannot but be very much
affc3cd with the idea of his appearing in the pre-
fence of that Being, whom none can fee and live;
he mud be much more affiSled, when he con-
liders, that this Being, whom he appears before,
will examine the actions of his life, and reward or
puni(h bim accordingly.
AJdijon, SpeBai»r„ N» 513.
3. To aim at ; to endeavour after : fpoken
of perfons.
Atrldes broke
His filence next, but ponder'd ere he fpoke :
Wife are thy words, and glad I would obey.
But this proud man affells imperial fway.
Dryden's Iliad.
4. To tend to; to endeavour after; fpoken
of things.
The drops of every fluid affiSl a round figure^
by the mutual attraftion of their parts ; as the
globe of the earth and fea affeHs a round figur*,
by the mutual attra(3ion of its parts by gravity.
Neivton's Optich.
5. To be fond of; to be pleafed with;
to love; to regard with fondnefs.
That little which fomc of the heathen did
chance to hear, concerning fuch matter as the
facred Scripture plentifully containeth, they did
in wonderful fort affe^. Hookerj b, i.
There is your crown ;
And he that wears the crown immortally,
Ixing guard it yours ! If I affcfi it more.
Than as your honour, and as your renown.
Let me no more from this obedience rife.
Sbakefpcare' s Henry IV.
Think not that wars wc love, and drift; affeB ;
Or that we hate fweet peace. Fairfax, b» ii,
-None but a woman could a man diredl
To tell us women what vie mo<i affefl.
Dryd. mfe of Batb.
6. To make a Ihew of fomething ; to
ftudy the appearance of any thing j
with feme degree of hypocrify.
Another nymph, amongd the many fair,
Before the reft affeaed dill to ftand.
And watch'd my eye, preventing my command.
J*r(c»-.
Thcfe often carry the humour fo far, till their
afffSled coldncfs and indifFcrcncc quire kills all- the
fondnefs of a lover. Addifon, Speffator, N° j 7 1.
Coquet and coy at once her air.
Both dudicd, though both li^em negledled ;
Carelefs (he is with artful c^e,
AffcSling to feem una(feftcd. Congreve,
The confcious hulband, whom like fymptomi
feize.
Charges on her the guilt of their dlfeafe ;
Affiiiing fury, adls a madman's part.
He'll ri|i the fatal fccret from her heart. Gran-vlllr.
7. To imitate in an unnatural and con-
ftrained manner.
Sj enfer, in affiBing the ancients, writ no lan-
guage ; yet 1 would have him read for his matter,
but as Virgil read £noius.
Stnjonjun'i D'lfcoveries,
8. T*
A F F
8. To convift of fome crime ; to attaint
with guilt ; a phrafe merely juridical.
By the civil law, if a dowry with a wife be pro-
ttiifed and not paid, the hultand is not obliged to
•llow her alimony. But if her parents (hall be-
come infolvent by fome misfortune, (he (lull have
alimony, unlefs you can affifi them with fraud,
in promifing what they knew they were not able
to perform. Ayliffc's Partr^m.
AFFECTA'TiON. «./. [offiiHalio, Lat.J
I. Fondnefs ; high degree of liking;
commonly with fome degree of culpa-
bility.
In things of tlieir own nature indifferent, if
either councils or particular men have at any
■ time, with found judgment, mifliked conformity
between the church of God and infiJcls, the caufe
thereof hath been fomewhat clfe than only affrc-
tathn of diflimilitude. Huetf, k, iv. ^ 7.
*. An artificial Ihew ; an elaborate ap-
pearance ; a falfe pretence.
It has been, from age to age, an afiHalion to
love the pleafurc of folitude, among thole who
cannot pofTibly be fuppofed qualifi'd, for pafling
life in that manner. Sftfialor, N" 264.
Affe'cted. participial adj. [ from affi3.'\
I. Moved; touched with affedtion ; in-
ternally difpofed or inclined.
No marvel then if he were ill affiBtd.
Sbake/f, King Lear,
The model they feemed afftfftd to in their di-
reftory, was not like to any of the foreign re-
formed churches now in the world. Clarendon,
X, Studied with over-much care, or with
hypocritical appearance.
Thefe antick, lifping, affeBed f\\inX3S\ss, thefe
■new tuners of accents. Shakr/p. Rcmeo and Juliet .
5. In a perfonal fenfe, full of affeflation ;
as, an affeSed lady.
Affe'ctedly. adv. [from affeiled.']
1. In an aifefted manner; hypocritically ;
with more appearance than reality.
Perhaps they are affeHedly ignorant ; they arc
fo willing it (hould be true, that they have not at-
tempted to examine it.
Gmernmeitt of the Tongue, § 5.
Some indeed have been fo amBedly vain, as to
jfountetfeit immortality, and have (lolen their
deathf in hopes to be efteemed immortal.
Brcnvn'i Vulgar Errours, h. vii. c. 10.
By talking fo familiarly of one hundred and ten
thoufand pounds, by a tax upon a few commo-
dities, it is plain, you arc either naturally or af-
feOedl) Ignorant of our condition. Sivifi.
2. Studioufly ; with laboured intention.
Some mifperiuafions concerning the divine at-
tributes, tend to "the corrupt nj men's manners,
a» if they were deligned and afftBtdty chofen for
that purpofe. Duay t,f Piety.
Affe'ctedness. n. /. [from affiled.']
The quality of being affefted, or of
making falfe appearances.
AFFE'CTION. «./ [etffeaio,,, Fr. ajec-
tio, Lat.]
1. The ftate of being affedled by any
caufe, or agent. This general fenfe is
little in ufe.
Some men there arc love not a gaping pig j
Some tliat are mad if they behold a cat ;
And others, when the bag-pipe fings i' th'nofe,
Cannot contain their urine, for afftFl'ion.
Shaktff. Mtrthatit of Venice.
2. Paffion of any kind.
Then'gan the Palmer thus; moft wretched mm,
That to affcBient Joes the bridle lend ;
In their beginning they are weak and wan,
But foon through fufferance grow to fearful end.
Fairy Siueen.
Impute it to my late foUtaty life, which is prone
»fft£liinu Sidney, k. i.
A F F
jlfftHicni, at joy, grief, fear, and anger, with
fuch like, being, at it were, the fundry falhions
and forms of appetite, can neither rife at the
conceit of a thing Indifferent, nor yet choofe but
rife at the fight of fome things. Honker, h. i.
To fpeak truth of Ciefar,
I have not known when his affcCJicn: fway'd
More than his reafon. Shakeff. Julius Cafar.
Zeal ought to be compofed of the higheft de-
geees of pious affcftions ; of which fome are mil-
der and gentler, Tome (harper and more vehement.
Sprat^i Sermons.
I can prefent nothing beyond this to your af-
fedions, to excite your love and defirc. Tilhlfin.
3. Love ; kindnefs ; good-will to fome
perfons ; often with to or ttrjjardi be-
fore the perfon.
I have acquainted you
With the dear love I bear to fair Ann Page,
Who mutually hath anfwer'd my affcBion.
Shakcfp. Merry tfives of fVindfor.
My king is tangled* in affeHion to
A creature of the queen's, l.idy Anne BuUen.
Sbakeffeare.
What warmth is there in your affeliiom totiards
any of thefe princely fuitors ?
Sbakefp. Merchant of Vt nice.
Make his intercft depend upon mutual ajffiSion
and good correfpondence with others.
Collier on General Kindnefs.
Nor at firft fight, like moft, admires the fair;
For y< u he lives, and you alone (lull (hare
His laft affcBion, as his early care. Pofe.
4. Good-will to any objeft ; zeal ; paf-
lionate regard.
I have realbn to dlllruft mine own judgment,
as that which may be overborn by my zeal and
affcBion to this caufe. Bacin.
Set your affcBion upon my words ; de(ire them,
and ye (hall be inrtruited. IVijUom, vi. 11.
His integrity to the king was without biemi(h,
and his affefiion to the church fo notorious, that
he never dcferted it. Clarendon.
All the precepts of Chriflianity command us to
moderate our p.idions, to temper our a^eBicnt to-
•wards all things below. Temple.
Let not the mind of a ftudent be under the
influence of warm affeBi''* to things of fenfe,
when he comes to the ft arch of truth.
Walts' s Improvement of the Mind.
5. State of the mind, in general.
There grows.
In my moft iU-compos'd afftfiim, fuch .
A l^anchlcfs avarice, that w'ere I king,
1 (hould cut o(i*the nobles for their lands.
Shahfpeare's Af.uhetb.
The man that hath no mufick in hirafelf.
Nor is not mov'd with concord of fweet founds.
Is At for treafons, ftratagems, and fpoils ;
The motions of his fpirit are dull as night,
And his affeiiicns dark as Erebus :
Let no fuch man be trudcd.
Sbakejp, Mercb, of Venice.
6. Quality ; property.
The certaintyand accuratenefs which is attributed
to what mathematicians deliver, muft be reftrained
to whac they teach,- concerning thofe purely ma-
thematical difciplines, arithmetick and geometry,
where the affeBions of quantity are abftradtedly
confidered. Boyle.
The mouth being neccffary to conduit the voice
to the fliapc of its cavity, necclTarily gives the
voice fome particular affeBion of found in its paf-
fagc before it come to the lips.
Holder's Elements of Speech.
God may have joined immaterial fouls to other
kinds of bodies, and in other laws of union ; and,
from thofe different laws of union, there will
arife quite different affcBions, and natures, and
fpecies of th^: compound beings. Bentlfy's Sermons,
7. State of the'body, as afted upon by any
caufe.
It feemed to me a venereal gonorrheea, and others
thought it arofe from fome fcorbutical affeBion.
fVifextn'i Surgery.
A F F
8. Lively reprefentation in painting.
AffeBion is the lively reprefentment of any paf-
fion whatfocvet, as if the figures (lood not upon *
cloth or board, but as if they were afting upon a
ftage. , , ffctton's ArcbittBure.
9. It is ufcd by Shakefpeare fometime*
for afftBatio't.
There w is rothing in it that could 'indift the
author of eiffeBicn. Stakcfptart.
Affe'ction ATE. adj. [affeaionne, Fr.
from affeilion.'\
1 . Full of auedlion ; ftrongly moved-j
warm ; zc3:lou$.
Ii> Iheif love of God, and defire to pleafe himi
men can never be too affcBicnatc : and it is as
true, that in their hatted of Cn, men may be
fom^t-mcs too p-afiinnatc. Spratt's Sermons*
2. Strongly inclined to; difpofed to;
with the particle to.
As for the parliament, it prefently took (ire,
being cffeB'ionate, of o.U, rt the war of France.
Bacons Henry VII,
3. Fond ; tender.
He found me fitting, beholding this pifiure, I
know not with how afeBiorate countenance, but,
I am fure, with a mcll affcBioiuste mind. Siiny,
Away trey fly
AffcBionate, and undefiring bear
The mod delicious morfel to their young.
Tliomfms Spring.
4. Benevolent ; tender.
When we reflcdl on all this aJfcBionate care of
Providence for our happincfs, with what wonder
muft we obfervc the little effjft it has on men !
R'-gcrs's Sermons,
Affe'ctjon ATELY. adv. [from ajic-
t innate.] In an affeftionate manner ;
fondly ; tenderly ; benevolently.
Affe'ction ateness. rt. /. [from af-
feBionate."] The quality or ftate of be-
ing afFeftionate ; fondnefs ; tendernefs ;
good-will ; benevolence.
Affe'ction ED. adj. [from aJeSlien.]
1 . AfFefted ; conceited. This fenfe is
now obfolete.
An affeBioned afs that cons ftate without book,
and utters it by great fwaths.
Shaktfpejre's Ttvelftb Night,
2. Inclined ; mentally difpofed.
Be kindly affeBioned one to another.
Rom. xii. lo.
Affe'ctiously. ad'v. [from nffeB.} In
an affeSing manner. Dii}.
Affe ctive. adj. [from affcSt.] That
which affefts ; that which ftrongly
touches. It is generally uled for painful.
Pain is fo uneafy a fentiment, that very little
of it is enough to corrupt every enjoyment; and
the effeft Cod intends this variety of ungrjteful
and affeBive fentiments (hould have on us, is to
reclaim our atfcflions from this valley of tears.
Kogtrt,
Affectuo'sity. »./. [from ajfciluous ."l
Paffionatenefs. Diil.
Apfe'ctuous. adj. [from affcil."] Full
of paffion ; as, an affeauous fpecch : a
word little ufed.
To Affe're. -v. a. [ajisr, Fr.] A law
term, fignifying to confirm. See To
A !■■ F E A R .
Affe'rors. n./. [from ajfere."]
Such as are appointed in court-leets, &e. upon
oath, to mulft fuch a< have committed faults ar-
bitrarily puni(hable, and have no exprefs penalty
fet down by ftatute. Ci/ivell,
AFFI'ANCE. n.f. [affiance, from affier,
Fr.]
I. A mwriage-contraft.
A(
A F F
At lift fuch grace I found, and meani I wrought,
Thit 1 that lady to my fpoufe had won.
Accord of friends, confent of parents fought,
j^arce made, my happincfs begyn.
Fairy ^emj i. n.
2. Truft in general; confidence; fecure
reliance.
Tb^ duke Is virtuous, mild, and too well given
To dream on evil, or to work my downfall.—
^Ah ! what's more dangeious than thi» fond
offi.;iice f
Seemi he a dove ? his feathcrj are but borrowed.
Sijkcf/.e.ire'i Hctrry VI.
3. Truft in the divine promifes and pro-
teftion. To this fenfe it is now almoft
confined.
Religion receives man into a covenant of gracp,
where there is pardon reached out to all truly pe-
nitent finners, and afllHancc prooufed, and en-
gaged, and beftowed upon very cafy conditions,
vis. humility, prayer, and afijnce in him.
Uopmond's Fundmrurleh.
There can be no furer way to fucccfs, than by
ffclain-.tng all confidence in ourleJvcs, and refer-
jint; the events of things to God with an implicit
aftjnce, Atterbury^s Serrmnt*
To Affi'ance. "v. a. [from the noun
affiance.'^
1 . To betroth ; to bind any one by pro-
mife to marriage.
To me, fad maid, or rather widow fad,
He was a^anced long time before.
And facred pledges he both gave and had j
Filfcj errant Icaighc, infamous, and forefwore.
Fa'try Sluan,
Her ftiuld Angelohavc married, was a^anced to
her b) oath, and the nuptial appointed ; between
which time of the contra^, and limit of the fo-
lemnity, his brother was wrecked, having in that
veiM the dowry of his lifter.
Shahjfearti Meafurifar Mtajure*
I. To give confidence.
Strjngei- ! wh e'er thou art, fecurely reft
Affjnc'd in my faith, a friendly gued.
Po/te's OJ}Jpy-
ArFl'AKCER. K. /. [from affiance.] He
that makes a contraft of marriage be-
tween two parties. Did.
Affida'tion. l"./. [from affii/o, Lat.
Akfida'ture. J See Affied.] Mutual
coatraft ; mutual oarh of fidelity. Diil.
Affida'vit. »./ [njii/a'vit figni&es, in
the language of the common law, he
mode talh.] A declaration upon oath.
You faid, if 1 return'd next *fize in Lent,
I flioulu be in remitter of your grace ;
In th' interim my letters (hould take place
Of nff.da-vin. D',nne.
Cjunt Rechteren Ih^uM have m.ide ajjiAai-it
that his fervants had been aSronted, and then
Monficur Mcfiia^cr wouid have dsne him juf^icc.
Spiiliiior, N ' 4S I .
Afpi'ed. participial adj. [from the verb
ojy, derived from ajfido, Lat. Brafton
uling the phrafe afidare mulieres.] Join-
ed by coutraii ; affianced.
Be we affuii-, and fuch aHurancc ta'en,
Asrhallwithcithcrpart'*ia^reeni«ntltand. Shaktjp.
A F F I L r a't I o N . n.f. [ from ad and fiUui,
Lat.] Adoption; the aft of taking- a
for.. Chamtcrs.
A'ffinace. n. /, [ttffiaage, I'r.] The
aft of refining metals by the cupel. Dicl.
Af fi'ned. adj. [from affinii, Lat.] Join-
ed by affinity to another ; related to
another.
If p irtially affin'd, or leagu'd in office,
Thou doft deliver more or lefs than truth,
Thou art no foldicr. Sbahfprtri't Oliilh.
A F F
Affi'nitv. «. / [ajiitite. Ft. from a/,
f.nii, Lat.]
1. Relation by marriage; relation con-
trafted by the h'jibaud to the kindred
of the wife, and by the wife to thofe of
the hufband. It is oppofed to conjan-
guinity, or relation by birth.
In this fenfe it has fometiraes the par-
ticle •■with, and fometimes to, before the
perfon to whom the relation is contraftcd.
Tliey had left none alive, by the blindnefs of
rage killing many guiltlefs perfons, cither fir
affir'ity ta the tyrant, or enmity to the tyrant-kil-
lers. Sidney, b. ii.
And Solomon made affinity taith Pharaoh king
of Egypt, and took Pharaoh s daughter.
I Kings, iii. I.
A breach was made with France itfelf, notwith-
ftanding f) (irait an rjiriy, fo lately accomplilhed ;
as if indeed (according to that pleafant maxim of
ftate) kingdoms were never married. fyomn.
2. Relation to ; connexion with ; refera-
blance to : fpoken of things.
The Britifh tongue, or Welfh, was In ufe only
in this iflar.d, having great affinity luitt the old
Callick. Camden.
All things that have affinity toiih the heavens,
move upon the center of another, which they be-
nefit. Bacon, Effiay xxiv.
The art of painting bath wonderful affinity with
that of poetry. Dryd. Dufrcjnoy, jfrtf.
Man is more diftinguilhed by devotion than by
reafon, as feveral brute creatures difcover fome-
thing like reafcn, thou^jh they betray not any
thing ttut bears the Icall affinity tn devotiutu
MJipn, Sfecl. No zoi.
Tc AFFI'RM. V. n. [affirmo, Lat.] To
declare ; to tell confidently : oppofed
to the word deny.
Yet their own authors faithfully affirm.
That the land Salike lies in Germany,
Between the floods of Sala and of Elve.
Sbakejf. Henry V.
To Affi'rm. «y. a,
1 . To declare pofitively ; as, to affrm a
fdft.
2. To ratify or approve a former law, or
judgment : oppofed to rcverfe or repeal.
The houfe of peers hath a power of judicature
in fome cafes, properly to examine, and then to
affirm ; or, if there be caufe, to revcrfc the judg-
ments wliich have been given in the court of king's
bench. Bacm'i Ad-vice 10 Sir G. fi/lien.
In this fenfe we fay, fo affirm the truth.
Afpi'r M ABLE. «i^'. \ixc3m. affirm.] That
which may be affirmed.
Thofe attributes and coucepcrons that were ap-
plicable and offirmabU of him 'vhen prefcnt, arc
now affirmable and applicable to him though pal^.
Haters Origin of Mankind.
Affi'rmance. n.f. [from affirm.] Con-
firmation : oppofed to repeal.
Thio AatutE did but rel'.orc an ancient fta-
tute, which was itfelf alio made but in affirmance
of the common law. Bacnn.
Appi'hmant. n.f. [itom affirm.] The
perfon that affirms ; a declarer. Diil.
Affi rma'tion. n.f. [affirmatio, hat.]
1. The aft of affirming or declaring : op-
pofed to negation or denial.
This gentleman vou*.hes, upon warrant of bloody
affirmation, hik to be more virtuous, and lefs at-
temptable, than any of our ladies.
Sbate/peare't Cymhirme.
2. The pofition afftrmed.
That he ShM receive nu benefit from Chrift, is
the affirmation whereon his dcfpair is founded ; and
one \\ay of removing this difmal apprehenlion, is,
to cgnvinu lum, that Chriil't de«tli, if he per-
A F F
form the condition required, {hall certainly belong
to him. Hammcnd^i Fundametitalu
3. Confirmation : oppofed to repeal.
The learned in the laws of our land obferve,
that out ftatutes fometimes are only itic affirmation,
or ratification, of that which, by common law, was
held before. Hooker.
Affirmative, adj. [fiom ^^rw.]
1, That which affirms, oppofed to uega-
fi've ; in which fenfe we ufe the affirma-
tii'i abfolutely, that is, the affirmati-ve
pofition.
for the affirmative, we are now to anfwer fuch
proofs of theirs as have been before alleged.
Hooter,
Whether there are fuch beings or not, 'ti^ juffi-
cient for my puvpofe, that many have bcl'ev.d
the affirmative. Dryd.n.
2, That which can or may be affirmed : a
fenfe ufed chiefly in fcience.
As in algebra, where a/^rma/ii<« quantities va-
nlflr or ccafe, there negative ones begin; fo in
mechanick?, where attradion ceafes, there a re-
pulfive virtue ought to fucceed. Netut. Opt.
3, Applied to perfons, he who has the
habit of affirming with vehemence ; po-
fitive ; dogmatical.
Be not confident and affirmative in an uncer-
tain matter, but report thmgs modeftly and tem*
peratcly, according to the degree of that perfua-
fion, which is, or ought e> be, begotten by the
efficacy of the authority, or the realon, inducing
thee. Taylor.
AFFi'RMATlvBLy. «</*. [from affirnux'
ti-ve.] In an affirmative manner; on
the poUtive fide ; not negatively.
The reafon of man hath no fuch reftiaints
concluding not only affirmatively, but negatively;
not only affirming, there is no magnitude beyond
the lall heavens, but alfo denying, theie is any
vacuity within them. Brown i Vtilgar Errours.
Affi'rmer. ». /. [from affirm.] The
perfon that affirms.
If by the word virtue, the affirmer intends our
whole duty to God and man ; and the denier, by
the vi-ord virtue, means only courage, or, at
moft, our duty toward our neighbour, without in-
cluding, in the idea of it, the duty which we owe
to God. fVatts't Logitkt
To AvFl'x. -v. a. [affigo,a^xHm,'L^i>.]
1. To unite to the end, or apojieriori; to
fubjoin.
He that has fettled in his mind determined
ideas, with names affixed to them, will be able
to difcern their difTerences one from another.
Lode,
If men conftantly affixed applaufe and difgrace
where they ought, the principle of fliame would
have a very good influtnce on publick conduftj
though on fecret viilinies it lays no rellraint.
Rogtrs't Sermam.
2. To conneft confequentially.
The d"£lrine of irrefiftibility of grace, in work,
ing whatfoever it works, if it be acknowledged,
there is nothing to be affixt to gratitude.
Hammotid'i Fundamentals
3. Simply to fatten or fix. Obfulete.
Her modcli eyes, abafhed to behold
So many gazers as on her do Hare,
Upon the lowly ground affixed arc. Spenfcr.
Affi'x. ?i.f. [affixum, hs-t.] A term of
grammar. Something united to the end
of a word.
In the Hebrew language, the nr.un has its affixi,
to denote the pronouns poiicHive or relative.
C/jrie's Latin Grammar.
Affi'xion, n.f. [from affix.]
1. The aft of affixing.
2. The ftate of being affixed. ^ DiiT.
a AF^•LA'T^o^.
A F F
Afpia'tion. »./. [/7^o, /i^atum, L».t.]
The kEL of breathing upon any thinj;.
Dia.
jtFFLJTrS. r. f. [Lat.] Coromuni
cation oKthe power of prophecy,.
The poet writing ngainrt his genius, will be
nke ■^ projliet withoac his afiatus.
SfcKct nil tbt Oiiffiy.
7'e AFFLI'CT. 1'. a. [afiiao, affliaum,
Lat.]
I . To put to pain ; to grieve ; to tor-
ment.
It tucheth us how God thought fit to pliguc
■ and affi'iti them; it doth not appoint in what
form and manner »• ought to punifli the fin ol
idohtry ir) others. Ihdlcr, h. v. § 17.
O coward conl'ciencc, how doft thou agliil mc !
The lights burn blue — Is it not dead mijiiight ?
Coid tearful drop« tUnd on my trembling fle/h.
Slaktfi,.Bkh.in.
Give nnt over thy mind to heavinefs, and affiiH
not thyfglfin thireown counfel. Ecclus. xxt. zi.
A father aJjUSltd ivith untimely mourning, when
lie hath made an image of his child foon taken
awiy, now honoured him as a God, which was
then a dead man, and delivered to tliofe that were
under him ceremonies and facrifices. ffiftiuit,
A melancholy tear tiJliBs my eye.
And my heart labours with a fudden figh. Prior.
Z. The paffiv e to be nffliaed, has often at
before the caufal noun ; by is likewife
proper.
'I he mother was fo affllStd at the lofs of a fine
boy, who was her only fon, that (he died for grief
of ". ^ Add'Jan, HfcB.
Affli'ctrdness. n. f. \itom affliaed.']
The ftate of affliftion, or of being af-
flided ; forrowfulnefs ; grief.
Afpli'cter. ». /. [from a^;V7.] The
perfon that affliils.
Affli'ction. n.f. [a^iaic, Lzt.]
I . The caufc of pain or forrow ; calamity.
To the flclh, as the apoftle himfdf granteth,
all afflmion it naturally grievous ; therefore na-
^, tiire, which caufeth fear, tcacheth to pray againft
all adverfity. JUokcr, h. v. §.4?.
We'll bring you to one that you have cozened
uf m )ney ; I think to repay that money will be a
V-ing ^fflirtm, SL-Jkcffcare.
2. 'The ftate of forrowfulnefs; mifery :
'oppofed toyoy or prc/perity.
Bjfidci you know,
Profperity's the vei-y bond of love,
Whofe frelh complexion, and whofe heart to-
gether,
jff.l'Jkn altera. Shaieff,. trimn's Tall.
Where fliall we find the man that bears aMk-
t'lOV,
, Great and majeftic in hit grieft, like Cato ?
AdtlifaCi Crf/c.
Some virtues are only fccn in iiffliahr, and fomc
in profperily. Mii}J'M, Sptliaf.r, ti't^y.
Akfm'ctive. a///, [from ajlia.] That
which caufes aihidtion ; painful ; tor-
menting.
Tiiey tiund martyrdom a duty drefled up in-
deed with all that was terrible and ajp.-flive to
huHjan nature, yet not at all the lefs a duty.
Nor con they find
;,/Whe« tJ) rcdre thcmfclves,'or where appeafe • '.
I 2! 'V^"''^' J'-'^" c.irc of food, expos J
To windj, and ftorms, and jaws of fava^e death.
I'tilijti.
Reftlefs Ptoferpine —
—On the fpacious land and liquid main
Spreads (low difeafc, and darts aJllU'mi pain.
Prior,
A'rrLWENCE. ,,. /. [aj^mtce, Fr. nfflu-
*«//«, Lat. J
A F F
1. The aft of flowing to any place; con-
courfe. It is almoft always ufed figu
ratitTly.
I (hall not relate the affvenic of young nobles
from hence into Spain, after the voice of our
pri^tc being therr liaJ been nnlfcd. H^otrcr.
2. Exuberance of riches; ftream of wealth ;
plenty.
Thofe degrees of fortune, whlch~give fuUief!
and afflutncc to one ftation, may be want and pe-
nury in another. Rcgcrt.
Lit joy or eafe, let affucree or content.
And the gay confcicnce of a life well fpcnt,
Calm ev'ry thought, infpirit ev'rj' grace. Poft.
A'ffluency. n.f. The fame with /t/"-
Jiueiice,
A'FFLUENT. adj. l^-ffiutnt. Fr. affluent,
Lat.]
1 . Flowing to any part.
Thefe parts are no more than fnundition-piles
of the enfiiing body; which are afterwards to be
increafcd and raifed to a greater bulk, by the
a^K.w blood that is tranfmitted out of the mother's
°^^'^. }!aney on dnfimftiOK!.
2, Abundant ; exuberant ; wealthy.
I fee thee, Lord and end of my defire.
Loaded and bleft with all the ajftuenl ilore,
Which human vows at fmoking (hrines implore.
Prior.
A'ffluentness. n.f. [from affluent.]
The quality of being affluent. Dia.
A'fflux. ti.f. [affiuxus, Lat.]
1 . Tlie aft of flowing to fome place ; af-
fluence.
2. That which flows to another place.
1 he caufe hereof cannot be a fupply by pro-
creations; crgt, it muft.be by new affiuxa to
London out of the country. "* Craunl.
The infant grows bigger out of the womb, b\
agglutinating one affiux of blood ^o.anotl)er.
Harviy en Cvi:fumftwtii.
An animal that muft lie Hill, receives the afflux
of colder or warmer, clean or foul \yater, as it hap-
pens to come to it. Locke.-
Afflu'xion. n.f. [affluxioyhax,]
1. The aft of flowing to a particular
place.
2. That which flows from one place to
another.
An inflammation either fimple, confifting of
an ho: and fanguincous affluxiou, or elfc denomi-
nablc from other humours, according unto the
prcdomiaaocy of melancholy, phlegm, or choler.
Bro^vn^i l^ulgar Errouri.
To Affo'rd. V, a. [ajourrer, alfourra-
ger, Fr.]
1. To yield or produce ; as, the fill af-
fords grain ; the trees afford fruits. This
feems to be the primitive fignification.
2. To grant, or confer any thing; gene-
rally in a good fenfe, and fometimes in
a bad, but lefs properly.
So foon as Maurmon there .irriv'd, the door
To him did open, and afforJ/J way. Fairy Sluetn.
This is the coiifolatiun of all good men, unto
whom his ubiquity a^r,/./i. continual comfirtand
fecurity ; and this is the alHiai.m of hell, to wham
it affiide'.h dcfpair and rtmcdilefs calamity.
ISrcivrl'i Vuhor Err6urs.
3. To be able to fell. It is uled always
with reference to fome certain price ; as,
/ can afford this for lefs than the other.
They lisl their magazines in times of the grcareft
plenty, that li> they may nj^ri/ cheaper, nnd in-
Cfcafe the public revenue at a fmall exp-nce of its
■n^^'^'n'w'"!- MJifon m Italy.
4. To be able to bear expences ; as, tra-
A F F
ders can effird more fncry in peaee than
ivar.
The f.ime errours run through ill families,
where there is wealth enough to afford that their
fons may be good for twthing.
S'U'ift ^n Motiirr Education.
To AFFO'REST. i/. a. [affcrcftare, Lat.]
To turn ground into forcft.
It appcareth, by Chana dt Forrfta, that he
affirtjird many woods and waftes, to the grievance
of the fubjeft, which by that law were difaffo.
retted. S,r Jihn D:smcs 'n Irtlaxi.
Afforesta'tiok. n. f. [from afforeft.']
The charter de Forcjlj was to rcf jj m the en-
croachments made in the time of RUbard I. and
Henry II. who had made new ojftrejlar'ient, and
much extended the rigour of the foreft laws.
Halt's C'.mvar. Law of England.
To Affra'kchise. i/.«. {affrancbertYx.]
To make free.
To AFFRA'Y. -v. a. [effrayer, or effriger,
Fr. which Menage derives from /V<7f cr ;
perhaps it comes . from frigus.] To
fright ; to terrify ; to ftrike with fear.
This word is not now in ufe.
The fame to wight he never would difclofe.
But when as mongers huge he would difmay.
Or daunt unequal armies of his foes,
Or when the flying heavens he woiAd affray.
Fairy Shtecn.
AFFRA'Y,or ApFRA'yMEfTT. n.f [from
the verb.]
1. A tumultuous aflault of one or more
perfons upon others ; a law term. A
battle : in this fenfe it is written //-ay.
2. Tumult; confufion : out of ufe.
Let the night be calm and quietf >me.
Without tempcftuaus ftorms or la J affray. Sp!nfer.
Afpri'ction'. n.f. [affriaio, Lat.] The
aft of rubbing one thing upon another.
I have divers times obferved, in wearing filver-
hilted fwords, that, if they rubbed upon ray
cloaths, if they were of a light-coloured cloth,
the affriliiun would quickly blacken them ; and,
congruouily hereunto, I have found pens blacked
almoft all over, when I had a while carried them
about me in a filver cafe. £y/«.
To Affri'ght. "o. a. [See Fright.]
1. To afi^eft with fear ; to terrify. It gene-
rally implies a fudden impreffion of fear.
Thy name affrights me, in whofe found is death.
Sbakefprnre's henry VI,
Godlike his courage feem'd, whom nor delight
Could foften, nor the face oi Am'n affright. Waller.
He, when his country (threaten'd with alarm]
Requires his courage and his conq'ring arm.
Shall, more tlian once, the Punic bands affri/^bt.
Dry/Un'i j^neid.
2. It is ufed in the paflive, fometimes with
at before the thing feared.
Thou ftialt not be affrigkud at them : for thf
Lord thy God is among you. Drut.vVi. ai.
3. Sometimes with the particle iv/VA be-
fore the thing feared.
As one affrigbt
With hetlilh fiends, or furies mad uproar.
He then uprofc. Fairy Slueai, h. ii. car.t. 5.
Afpri'cht. n.f. [from, the verb.}
I. Terrour; fear. This word is chiefly
poetical.
As the moon, doathed With cloudy night, '
Does (liew to him that walks ia fear and fad
affright. Fairy S^uten,
Wide was his parifh, not contraflcd clofe
In ftieets, but here and there a draggling houfe ;
Yet ftill he was at hand, without rcqtieft.
To ferye the fick, to fuccour the diftrefs'd ;
Tempting, on /oot, alone, without affright.
The dangcri of a dirk tcmpeftuous mght.
Dryden's Faifeu
2. The
A F F
A F L
A F O
e. The caufe of fear; a terrible objedl;
dreadful appearance.
1 fee the gods
Ufbra-d our fuff'rings, and woulj humble them.
By fending thcfe afrighti^ while we are here,
That we might laugh at their ridiculous fear,
B. Jorf. Catilhi.
The «-ir at hand appeal with more affright.
And rifes cv'ry moment to the fight. Dryd. AEntiJ.
Affri'ghtfui,. ai/J. [from afrigbt.]
Full of aft'right or terrour ; terrible ;
dreadful.
There is an ahfence of all that is dcrtrufllTe or
effrigirful to humia nature. D^caycf Pictv,
Affri'chtment. n.f. [irom aj'fight .^
t. The impreflion of fear; terrour.
Slie awaked with the effrighiment of a dreama
Paflionate words or blows from the tutor, fill
the child's mind with terrour ar.d uffrigbiirint ;
which immediately takes it wholly up, np.d leaves
no room for other impreflion. Locke.
2. The ftnte of fearful nefs.
Whether thofe that, under any an^uifli of
mind, return to affngbtmir.is or doubtings, have
not been hypcrites. Eantimr.d.
To AFFRO'NT. v. a. [affronter, Fr. that
is, ad front em Jlare ; ad frontem contu-
tiuJiam allidcre, to infult a man to his
face.]
i. To meet face to face ; to encounter.
■ This feems the genuine and original
fcnfe of the word, which was formerly
indifferent to good or ill.
We haic clofcly fent for Hamlet hither.
That he, as *twerc by accident, may here
Affr^M Ophelia, Skahfpeare't Hamlit.
The feditioui, the next day, offrintid the king's
forces at the cntiaice of a highway ; wliom when
tliL*y found both ready and rcfolute to fight, they
dL-fir'^d ent;rparlance. Sir Jr,tn Hayivard,
2. To meet, in an boftile manner, front
to front.
His holy rites and folemn feails profan'd,
And with their darknefs durft affnr.t his light.
Paradijt L;]i.
3, To offer an open infult; to offend
avowedly. With refpecl to this fenfe,
it is obicrved by Cervantes, that, if a
m.m ftrikes another on the back, and
then runs away, the perfon fo llruck is
\v.]\McA,\)W\. nor. affrDitled ; a.n affrcnt dX-
ways implying a juftificationofthe aft.
Did nijt this latjl war affrort thy coaft .'
Yet fjtteil ih.ou an idle looker-on. Fairfax, i. 51.
But harm precedes not fin, only our foe.
Tempting. a^iCTtti us with his fool cfteem
Of our integrity. Mi,'l'/n'i Paradift L'_H, b. ix.
I would learn the canfe, why I'orrifmond,
Wi;hln my palace walls, within my hearing,
Almoft within my fight, affrtni) a prince,
Wt.o fbortly Oiail command him.
• Drydtn'i Uparijh Friar.
This brings to mind Faultina's fondnel's for thi-
gh liator, and is interpreted as f;rire. But how
can one imagine, that the Fathers would have dared
t'l affr:r.t the wife of Autelius ? Addijon.
Afpro'nt. n.f. [from the ■^txh affront .'\
1. Open oppofition ; encounter: a fcnfe
not frequent, though regularly deduci-
■ ble from the derivation.
Frarlcfj of danger, like a petty god
I walk'd ab'jul admir'd of all, and dreaded
0.1 boftilc ground, none daring my affront,
Samfon A^'^fijlri,
2. Infult offered to the face ; contemptu-
0U5 or rude treatment-; contumely.
He wiiuld of'rn maiulaiu I'lao'.ianus, in dnlr. ;
»ffri,r.li to hi» fun. Baeon'x EJjayi.
YouVedone enough; foryoudefign'd my chains:
The grace is vanifii'd, but th' affront remains.
Drydof s Aitrengx.i:ht.
He that is found reafonabic in one tiling, is con-
cluded to be fo in all j and to think or fay otherwif?,
is thought fo unjurt an affrcr.t, and fo fcnfelefs a
cenfurc, that nobody ventures to do it. Locke.
There is nothing which we receive with fo much
rcluft.mce as advice : we look iipon the man who
gives it us, as offering an a/?/-';^? to our uiiderftand.
ing, and treating us like children or idiots.
Addifon'! SfcStator, N" 512.
3. Outrage ; aft of contempt, in a more
general fenfe.
Oft have they violated
The temple, oft the law with foul affrnnn.
Abominations rather, Mdr-n^s Par.Tdife Regained,
4, Difgrace ; (hame. This fenfe is rather
peculiar to the Scotti.1i dialeft.
Antonius attacked the pirates of Crete, and, bv
his too great prcfumptinn, was defeated"; upon the
fenfe of which affmni he died with grief.
Ariutbr.ol 01: Coins.
Affro'nter. ».yi [{torn affro/it.] The
perfon that affronts.
At f no' XT t KG. participial aJJ. [from «/"-
_/0-o»/.] That which has the quality of
affronting ; contumelious.
Among words which fignify the fame principal
ideas, fome are clean and decent, others unclean ;
fome arc kind, others are a/froiitit:g and reproach-
ful, becaufe of the fccondary idea which cuttom
has affixed to them. lyal'i's Logici.
To AFFLTSE. -v. a. \affundo, aff'ufum,
Lat,] To pour one thing upon another.
I poured acid liquors, to try if they cont^iined
any volatile fait or fpirit, which would probably
have difcovered itfelf, by making an ebullition
with the affujcd liquor. Boyle.
Affu'sion. n.f. [affiijio, Lat.] The aft
of pouring one thing upon another.
Upon the affujion of a tincture of galls, it im-
mediately became as black as ink, Grciv^i Muj'awr,.
To AFFY'. -v. a. [nfficr, Fr, affidare mu-
lierem, Brafton,] To betroth in order
to marriage,
Wed-lcd be thou to the hags of hcli.
For daring toa^ a mighty lord
Unto the daughter of a wurthlefs king.
Shahefpearc^i Henry VI.
To AfFy'. t. n. To put confidence in;
to put trull in ; to confide. Not in ufe.
Marcus A«- Ironicus, fo I do affy
In thy upri^iUtnefs and integrity.
That I will here difmifs my loving friends.
Sbakefp. Titus Andr.
Api'eld. adnj. [from a T^nii field. See
Field.] To the field.
We drove afield, and bith togi^ther heard
What time the grey fiy winds her fultry horn,
Batt'nirg our flocks with the frelh dews of night,
M.iios.
Afield I went, amid the morning dew.
To milk my kine, for fo fiiould houfcwives do.
Cjy.
Apla't, ad'v. [from a and flat. See
Flat.] Level with the ground.
When you would have many nev/ roots of fruk-
trees, take a low tre-, and bow it, and lay all W>
branches afiat upon the ground, and cart crfrth
upon them ; and every twig will take root.
Baton'' I Natural WJliry.
Ai'Lo'at. etdv. [from a and float. See
Float.] Floating; born up in the
water ; not finking : in a rigurauvc
fenfe, within view ; in motion.
There h a tid" ir, the alTain of men,
Which taken at the flood, Inds on to fortune ;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
is bound in IhatlDwi* and in miferies.
On fuch a full fca are wc sow ajitj: ;
And we muft take the current when it fetvei.
Or lofe our venturer. Shakrjfenre's 'Jiditii C^efjr.
Take any paflion of tire foul of man, while it is
predominant and afiiat, and, jiift in tlie critical
height of it, nick it <vith fome lucky or unlucky
■ word, and you may as certai;:!y over-rule it ta
your own purpofe, as a fpark of fire, filling upon
gunpowder, will infallibly blow it up. Scmh,
There arc generally fcvcral hundred loads of tim-
ber afloat, fcr tiicy cut above f.venty-.nve leagur>>
up the river ; and other rivers bring in their con-
tributloi 3. Adi'i/cn'i July.
Afo'ot. adv.. [from a and foot.]
1. On foot ; not on horfehack. <
He tliought it bell to rttiun, tor that day, t> a
vilLig': not far off; and difpa:ching his horfc (n
fome fort, the next day early, to come afcr.f thi-
ther. _ ShaL:fl>eait.
2. Ill aftion ; as, a deftgn is afoot.
I pr'ylhec, when thou fecit that aft a/lot, .
Ev'n with the very comment of tiiy foul
Ob.erve mine uncle. isbakeffcare.
3. In mction.
Of Albany's and Cornwall's pow'rs you hearti
not^
'Tis faid tiiey are .if>,ct. Sbaiefpeare'i King Lear.
.^fc'r E. /re/, [from a and/ir^. See Bs;-
FORE.]
1. Not bcLind ; as, he held the fiiicli
efor^ : not in ufe.
2. Before ; nearer in place to any tJiino-;
as, he Hood nTore hiin.
3. Sooner in time.
If jour diligence be not fpeedy, I fhall be there
afore you. Hhakcjpeare s Kit:g Lear.
Afo're. adv.
1. In time foregone or pad.
Whofoever fti>ulJ make light of any thing afore
fpoken or written, out of his own houfe a tree
ihould be taken, and he thereon be hanged.
Efdras, vi. 22.
If he never drank wine afcre, it will go near to
remove his fit. Hbakcjfearc'i Taitjc^.
2. Firft in the way,
Emilia, run you to the citadel.
And tell my lord and lady what hath hap'd ;
Will you go on afore? Sbakj'feare'i OtbelU.
3. In front ; in the fore-part.
Approaching nigh, he reared hijh afore
His body monltrous, horrible, and vaft. Fairy 9.
Afo'regoinc, participial adj. [from afore
andje/'/f.] Going before.
Apo'reh AND.oa'f. [from afore znd band.']
1. By a previous provifion.
Many "f the paiticular fubjcds of difcnuife are
occafional, and fuch as cannot tforeband be re-
duced to any certain account.
Gcvernment of tbe ToMgm.
2. Provided; prepared; previoufly fitted.
Kor'ic will be faid, that in the former times,
whereof we have Ipiken, Spain was not lo raigh.7
as now it is ; and England, on the other fide, was
tnoie afrehatid In ali matters t»f power.
Baton'i Confidnatirni on ff,H- wifi Sfaiii,
Afo'rementioned. adj. [from afore
and acnticned.] Mcntio.aed before.
Among the nine other parts, five are n.jt in ■
condition to give alms or lelicf to thofe aforemen-
tioned i being very near reduced thcmfelves to the
fame mifctable condiS-jn. Addill!,
Ak ©'renamed, adj. [from afore and
named.] Named before.
Imitate fomcihng of ciicular form, in which,
as in all other aforenamed proportioos, jou fhall
help youuclf by the aiaiiwar.
feaebam en Drataittjr.
Ato'rimaid. adj. [from afore ^ad faid.]
bald before.
It need not po for repetition, if we refume agnin
that which we iVld in the aforrjid cxcerimeiit.
Ctcaifi lleiurai ifiijicrf, N" 7^ i .
G 3 Afo're-
AFT
Afo'kbtimi. adv. [from afortiXiA timi.'\
In time paiL
O thou that art waxen old !n victEcdncfs, now
thy fins which thou had committed afom'.vu itc
come to light. .Sujr.ni:.:.
.\fv.\'it>. pkrti.lpial a/ij. [from the verb
affray : It fnould therefore properly be
written with_^".]
1. Struck with fear ; terrified; fearful.
To perfcrute fhem with thy trmpcft, and make
them a/Vfl/V with thy ftorm. PJ'alm ixxxWi. 15.
2. It has the particle e/ before the objedl
of fear.
There, loathing life, and yet cf death efraiJ,
In anguilh of her fpirit, thus Hie pray'd,
Drydtn's FabUu
If, while this wearied flelhdraws fleeting breath,
Not fatisfy'd with lite, afraid of death.
It haf 'ly be thy will, that I ihould know
Glimpfe of delight, or paufe from anxio-js woe j
From now, fiom inftant now, great Sire, dil'pil
The clouds that prcl's my foul. t'rior.
Apre'sh. adv. [from a AaA frejh. See
Fresh.] Anew; again, after inter-
million.
The Germans ferving upon great horfes, and
charged wijh heavy armour, received jrcat hurt b)
light Ikirmifliesj the Turks, with their light
horfes, ealiiy Oiunning their charge, and again,
»t their p'eafure, charging them afrtjb, when
they faw the heavy horfes almofl weary.
Kmlltl's Hifiory cf the Turks.
When once we have attained thcfe ideas, they
may be excited afrijhby the ufe of words.
tyatts'i Logkk.
Afro'nt. cdv. [from a andyrew?.] In
front ; in direfl oppofitlon to the face.
Thcfe four came all afront^ and mainly thruil at
me. Shakefpeare^s Henry IV. p. i.
A'FTER./r(r/. [xprep. Sax.]
1. Following in place, j^/ur is com-
monly applied to words of motion ; as,
he came a/ter, and flood behind him.
It is oppofed to before.
What lays Lord Warwick, (hall we after them ?—
^»Afttr them ! nay, hefcre them, if we can.
iStaifjxare'i Henry VI.
2. In purfuit of.
•//; r whom is the Icing of Ifrael come out?
After whom doft thou putfue i After a dead dog,
after aflea. i Sam. xxiv. 14.
3. Behind. This is not a common ufe.
Sometimes I placed a third prifm after a fecond,
and fomctimes alfo a fourth after a third, by al,
which the image might be often refraflcd fidc-
*ays. Neivtcn'sOjiiicki,
4. Poilerior in time.
Good after ill, and after pain delight ;
Alternate, like the fccnes of day and night.
Dry Jen' I Fahlet.
We (hall examine the ways of conveyance of the
fovereignty of Adam to princes that were to rcijn
after him. Locke.
5. According to.
He that thinketh Spain our over-match, is no
good mint-man, but takes grcatnefs of kingdoms
according to bulk and currency, and not after thci;
intrinfic value. Bacon.
6. In imitation of.
There a c, among the old Roman ftatucs, fevc-
ral of Venus, in different poftures and habits; as
there are many particular figures of her made after
the fame dilign. Mdijaris Italy.
Thiiallufion is after the oriental m.i ;ier : thui
in the Pfatms, how frequently are [).i:uns com-
pared to cedars. Fofe't Oayfj'eyy notei.
A'fteb. ad-v.
I. In fjcceeding time. It is ufed of time
mentioned as fucceeding fome other.
Sk> we cannot fay, I fliall be happy af- [
AFT
tir, but htreafter ; but we fay, I was
firft made miferablc by the lols, but
was after happier.
Far be it from me, ti juftify the cruelties which
were at lirft ufed towards tbein, which bad their
reward foon after. Bacon.
Thofe who, from the pit of hell
Roaming to feck tlieir prey on earth, durft fix
Their feats long after next the feat of God.
Faradife Ufl.
2. Following another.
Let go thy hold, when a great wheel runs down
a hill, le;l it break thy neck with following it ; but
the great one that goes upward, let him draw thee
after, Sbakeffieare't King Lear,
After is compounded with many words,
but almoft always in its genuine and
primitive fignification ; lome, which
occurred, will follow, by which others
may be explained.
A'fter acceptation. »./. [from a/itr
and acceptation.] A fenfe afterwards,
not at lirll admitted.
*Tis true, fonic dolors in a fcantier fpace,
I mean, in each apart, contrail the place :
Some, who to greater length extend the line.
The church's after accefiation ]o\n,
Vryden'i Hind ami Panther,
A'fteraces. »./ [Uom after and ages.]
Succeffive times ; pofterity. Of this
word I have found no lingular ; but fee
not why it might not be faid. This 'will
be done in fome afterage.
Noc the whole land, which the ChuGtes 0iould
or might, in future time, conquer ; feeing, in
afierages, they became lords of many nations.
Raleigh'! Hijtory of the IVorld,
Nor to philofophcrs is praife deny'd,
Whofe wife inftruftions afterages guide.
Sir y. Denham.
What an opinion will afterages entertain nf their
religion, who bid fair for a gibbet, to bring in a
fupcrftition, which their forefathers perilhcd in
flames to keep out. Addifon,
A'fter all. When all has been taken
into the view ; when there remains no-
thing more to be added ; at laft ; in
fine ; in conclufion ; upon the whole ;
at the mod.
They have given no good proof in aflerting this
extravagant principle ; for which, after at:, they
have no ground or colour, but a p:*fage cr two of
fcripture, mifcrably perverted, in oppofition to
many exprefs texts. Alterhury's Sermom,
But, after all, if they have any merit, it is to
be attributed to fome good old authors, whofe
works I ftudy. Fcfe on Fafi^val Fcetry.
A'fter BIRTH. ». / [from afler and
birth.] The membrane in which the
birth was involved, which is brought
away after ; the fecundine.
The exorbitances or degenerations, whether from
a hurt in labour, or from part of the after-butb
left behind, produce fuch vlr- lent diftempers of
the blood, as make It call out a t imour.
}r:i.mani Surgery,
A'fterclap. v.f. [from «//<T and <■/<./.]
Unexpedled events happening after an
affair is fuppofcd to be at an end.
For tlie nex t morrow's mead they clofely went.
For fear of afterclafs to prevent.
Spinf. Huh. rale.
It is commonly taken in an ill fcnfc.
A'ftercost. ». f. [from after and cofi.]
The latter charges ; the expence in-
curred after the original plan is exe-
cuted.
You mud take care to carry off the land- floods
and ftreams, Ijcforeyou attempt Uiaining ; left your
I
AFT
^ttreojt and labour prove unfticceftfol.
Mortimer i Hufhandry,
A'ftercrop. n.f. [from after and rr-5/.]
The fecond crop or harvell of the fame
year.
Aftercrops I think neither good for the land, nor
yet the hay good fur the cattle.
Afortimer'i Hujbondry,
A'PTER-DINNER. n.f. [from after and
dinner,] The hour paffing ju.'t after
dinner, which is generally allowed to
indulgence and amufement.
Thou haft nor youth nor age.
But, as it were, an afier-dimer's deep,
Dreaming on both. Shakefp,MeaJureforMeafart,
A'fter-endeavour. n.f. [from after
a.nd endeavour.] Endeavours made after
the firft effort or endeavour.
There is no reafon why the found of a pipe
Ih^yld leave traces in their brains, which, not firft,
but by their after-endeavours, ihould produce the
like founds. Locke.
A'fter-enquiry. n.f, [from after a.nd
enquiry.] Enquiry made after the fati
committed, or after life.
You muft either be directed by fome that take
upon them to know, or take upon yourfelf that,
which, I am fure, you do not know, or lump the
after-enquiry on your peril. Shakrfp. Cymheline.
Tij A'p T E R E Y E . f. a. [from afier and eye.^
To keep one in view ; to follow in view.
This is not in ufe.
Thou (houldft have made him
As little as a crow, or lefs, ere left
To aftereye him. Shakejpeare' s Cymtelint^
A'fte R GAME. n,f. [from after andgame.J
The fcheme which may be laid, or the
expedients which are pradifed after the
original defign has mifcarried ; methods
taken after the firft turn of affairs.
This earl, like certain vegetables, did bud and
open flowly ; nature fometimes delighting tx) play
an aftergame, as well as fortune, which had both
their turns and tides in courfe. tVotton.
The fables of the axe-handle and the wedge,
ferve to precaution us not to put ourfelvcs need-
lefsly upon an aftergame, but to weigh beforehand
what we fay and do. L'EJirange's Fables,
Our firft defign, my friend, has prov'd abortive ;
Still there remains an aftergame to play.
Addifon" s Cato,
.Vfterhours. n, f, [from afier and"
hour.'.] The hours that fucceed.
So fmile the heav'ns upon this holy aO,
Thzt afterlfours with forrow chide us not.
Siakefpeare's Romeo andyuliet,
A'fter-liver. n. f, [from after and
li-ve.] He that lives in fucceeding times.
By thee my promife font
Unto myfelf, let after-livers know. Sidney, b. ii.
A'fterlOve. n.f. [from /T/Jtv and love.l
The fecond or later love.
Intended, or committed, was this fault i
If but tlie firft, how heinous e'er it be.
To win thy after-love, I pardon thee.
Shakrfpeare's Richard II;
A'fter MATH. n.f. [from after s.nd math,
from moiu.] The latter math ; the fe-
cond crop of grafs, mown in autumn.
See Aftercrop.
A'fternoon. n.f. [from afier and noon.]
The time from the meridian to the even-
ing.
A beauty-waining and diftreffed widow,
Ev'n in the afternoon of her beft days,
Made prize and porchafe of his wanton eye.
Sbikefpeare's Richard III.
However,
AFT
Howtvtr, keep the Ih-ely tafte you ho'.S
Oi God i and lo\s him now, but fear him more 5
And, in your afttmocm, tliink what you told
And proaiis'd him at morning -prayer bcfwc.
Dcnm.
S-ach, all the morning, to the pleadings run ;
But, when the bus'nefs of tW- day is done.
On dice, and drink, and drabs, they fpend the af-
tertt^^n. Oryden^sP£rJius,Snt,\.
A'fterpains. n.f. [fiom^/^r and/a/».]
The pains after birth, by which women
are delivered of the iecundine.
A'fterpart. »./. [from nfter and fart."]
The latter part.
The flexibletcfs of the former part of a man's
age, not yet grown up to be headftrorg, makes it
more governable and fafc j and. In the afterparty
reafon and forefight begin a little to take place,
and mind a man of his fafety and improvement.
L'.:ir.
A'fter.proof. ». /. [from aflcr and
proof.]
1. Evidence pofterior to the thing in
qaeftion.
2. Qualities known by fubfequent expe-
rience.
All know, that he likewlfc at firft was much
under the expeftation of his ajrcrproof-^ Tuch a
folar infl.cnce there is in the folar afpefl. Jfo/.cn.
A'ftertaste. n.f. [from after zad tajld .]
A taile remaining upon the tongue after
the draught, which was not perceived
in the aft of drinking.
A'fterthought. a.f. [from after and
thought A Refledions after the adl ; ex-
pedients formed too late. It is not pro-
perly to be ufed fw fecondtbcught ,
£xpence, and afurtbougbt ^ and idle care.
And doubts of motley hue, and dark defpair ;
S-^fpicions, and fantaflical furmifc,
Aad jealoufy fuffusM with jaundice in her eyes,
Difcol luring all fhe view'd, in tawny drcfs'd,
Downlook'd, and with a cockow on her fill.
Vrydini Fabln.
A'fter-times. n.f. [from after and
ti>ru.'\ Succeeding times. See After-
aces.
you promis'd once, a progeny divine
Of Romans, ilfing from the Trojan line.
In uftertimti Ihould hold the world in awe,
. And Co the land and ocean give the law.
DryJen'i Virg'il.
A'ftertossinc. ». f. [from after and
tofs.'\ The motion of the fea after a
liorm.
Confusions and tumults are only the impotent
remains of an unnatural icbellion, and are no more
than the aftirio^iiigt of a tea when the ftorm is
. laid. AdJijoift Frtchildu!.
A'fterward. adv. [from after aifd
p<3pb. Sax.] In fucceeding time : fome-
times wriiten eftertuards, but lefs pro-
perly.
Ufcs not thought upon before, may afterivard
fpring up, and be leafcnab.'e caufes of retaining
that, which former confi^ierations did formerly
procure to be inllitutrd. H'^ohr.
An aniious diftruft of the divine goodn^fs,
makes a man more anti more unworthy of it j and
miTerable beforehand, for fear of being fo afur-
noard. ' L^EJirange,
A'fterwit. n.f. [from after and tvit.']
The c iiitrivance of expedients after the
occafion of ufing them is part. Sec
Afterthought.
There i> r^i recalling what's gone and pa!t ; fo
that i-.fttrviit comes too late, when the mifrHcf is
done. L'tjtrMi,!.
A'K-f er-wrath. H.f. [from after and
A G A
. 'vurath.'] Anger when the provocation
feems paft.
I hear him mock
The luck of Caefar, which the gods give men
T' excufc their after-ivrath.
Shaktfp. Anttmj and Clecfatra.
jfGJ. n.f. The title of a Turkilh mili-
tary officer.
Aga'in. adv. [agen. Sax.]
1. A iecond time ; once more ; marking
the repetition of the fame thing.
Tlii poor remnant of human feed, which re-
mained in their mountains, peopled their country
again ilowly, by little and little.
Baccn's New yf/nlantis.
Should Nature's felf invade the world again.
And o'er the centre fpread the liquid main,
Thy pow'r were fafe. ffalUr.
Go now, deluded man, and feek again
New toils, new dangers, on the duffy plain.
Dryd. j^tield.
Some are already retired into foreign countries ;
and the reft,, who polTefs lands, are determined
never to hazard them ag^in, for the fake o( eftab-
liiVmg their fuperilition. Sivift.
2. On the other hand ; marking fome op-
pofition or contrariety.
il'^ wit increafed upon the occafion; and fo
much the more, if the occafion were fharpaned
with danger, jigain. whether it were the fhoitnefs
of his forefi^ht, or the ftrength of his will, certain
it is, thit the peipetual Lruble of his fortunes
could not have been without defeds in his nature.
Bacon.
Thofe things that we know not what to do
withal, if we had tliiim, -nd thofe things, again,
which another cannot part with, but to his own
lol's and (hame. L'EJirangc's Fables.
3. On another part ; marking a tranfition
to fome new confideration.
Behold yon mountain's hoarv height.
Made higher with new mounts 'f fnow ;
j^gain, behold the winter's weight
Opprcfs the lab'ring woods below. Dryden.
4. In return, noting re-aftion, or recipro-
cal a£Uon ; as. His fortune worked up-
on his nature, and his nature again upon
his fortune.
5. Back ; in reditu tion.
When your head did but ake,
I knit my handkerchief about your bro.vs ;
The belt 1 had, a princefs wrought it me.
And I did never alk it yon again.
Sbakfjp. Kiig yobn.
6. la return for any thing ; in recom-
pence.
That he hath given will he pay again,
Prov. xir. 47.
7. In order of rank or' fucceJlion ; mark-
ing diftribution.
Queftion was afkeJ of Demofthene-, Whit v.as
the ciiief part of an grator ? He anfwercd, Adtion.
What next? Aftion. What next a^ain ? Aflion.
Bacmi Fffiy:.
The caufe of the holding green, is the clofe .uid
compaS fubftance of their leaves, and the pedicles
of them : and the cauie of that again is either
the cough and vifcous juice of the plant, '.r the
ftrength and h«ac thereof. Bacon' i Natural Hifl.
8. Befides ; in any other time or place.
Tlicy have the Walloor.s, who are tall foldicrs ,
yet tb.Tt is but a, fpot of ground. But, on the
other fide, there is not in the world again fuch a
fpring and feminaiy of brave military peopl, as
in England, Scotland, and Itelajid. BacoH,
9. Twice as much ; marking the fame
quantity once repeated.
There are whom heav'n has bleft with ftore of
wit.
Yet want as much again to manage it ;
A G A
For wit and judgment ever are at rtrife,
Tho" meant each other's aid, like man and wife.
I (hould not be forry to fee a chorus on a theaue,
more than as large and as deep again as ours, built
and adorned at a king's charges.
Dryden' i Dufrefnoy,
10. Again and again ; with frequent repci-
tition ; often.
This is not to be obtained by one or two hafty
readings: it mud be repeated again and again,
with a dofe attention to the tenour of the dif-
courfe. Locke..
11. Pn oppofition j by way of refiftance.
Who art thou that anfwerelt .^ J'" ?
Rom, ix. lo.
\z. Back; as, returning from fome mef-
fagCi
Bring us word again wh'rch way we fiiall go.
Deut. i. 72.
Aca'iust. prep, [aenjeon, onjconb. Sax.]
1. In oppofition to any perfon.
And he will be a wild man , his hand will be
againjl every man, anii. every man's hand againjl
him. Cfa. xvi. lit.
2. Contrary ; oppofite, in general.
That authority of men fhould prevail with men'
either againji or above reafon, is no part of our be-
lief. Hooker,
He is melancholy without caufe, and merry
againji the hair. Sbaieffeare'i Troilus and Crejidi,
We might work any effeft without and againji
matter; and this not holpen by the co-operation
of angels or fpirits, but only by the unity and har '
mony of nature. Bacon's Namral Hijicry.
The preventing goodnefs of God docs even wreft
him from himfelf, and fave him, as it were^
againji his will. Soutb,
The god, uneafy till he (Icpt again,
Refolv'd, at once, to rid himfelf of pain;.
And, tho' againji his cuftom, call'd aloud. Dryden,.
Men often fay a thing is againji their confcience,
when really it is not. S-wift'i Mijcellanies.
3. In contradiftion to any opinion.
After all that can be laid agai:Ji a thing, this.
v\-ill ftill he true, that many things polfibly are,,
which we know not of; and tliat many more thinge
may be than are : and if fo, after all our argu-
ments againji a thing, it will be uncertain whether
it be or not. Tillotjvn,
The church-clergy have written the beft collcc-
f'on of trails againji popery that ever appeared in
England. isiuift.
4. With contrary motion or tendency :
ufed of material adlion.
Boils and plagues
Plainer you o'er, that one infcft another
Agalfj} the wind a mile. Sbakcjfeare's Coriclaiiui,
The kite being a bird of prey, and therefore
hot, delighteth in th» frerti air ; and many times
fficth agaixji the wind, as trouts and f.ilmuns fwim
againji the itream. Bacoo..
J. Contrary to rule or law.
If aught agairji myli.'i;
Thy country fought of titee, rt fought unjuftly,
jiiiirfi the lavr of nature, law of nations. Miltoiu.
jlgiUnji the public fauftions of tlie peace,
ylgawji all on.tns of their ill fuccrft ;
With fat».' .jverfe, the rout in arms refort,.
To force t'- eh monarch, and ial'uh the court.
Dryden,
6. Oppofitt: to, in place.
Againjl the Tiber's mouth, but faraway.
Brjitn,
7. To the hurt of another. See fenfe 5.
And, wh.-i thou think'!! of her eternity.
Think not that death againji her nature is j
Thisk it a birth : and when thou go'H to diej.
Sing like a fwan, as if tliou went'fl'to blifs.
.Sir y. Daviif
3. In provifiorj for ; in expeftation o£
This mode of fpeaking probab'y )ted-
its original from the idea of. making"
provifiont
A G A
•provifion againft, or in oppofuion »o, a
time of misfortune, but by degrees ac-
quired a neutral fenfe. ft fometimes
hus the cife elliptically fuppreffed, as,i
again/} he cpmes, that is, aga'uift the
Aimt when he comes.
Thentc (he them biocght into a ft«t«l) ball,
Wheiein wire many tables fair d'fprcd.
And iraiiy J'lght with drapets feftival,
jigaUfi thcviaiidi JhouU be miniftred.
Kiiry S>^ftn.
Tlie I'lw charge "was given them igaii-jl the
time ili«y flituid cor.ie to fettle, tjsemlch is iYi the
■land proiTiifcd unto their fatliers. Hc.kn-i
S >nic lay, t'.fTt e«r 'gaiiyi that fcafon comci,
"Wherein bur Saviour's birth is cclcbialcJ,
The bird nf dawning fingeth all night ieng :'
^nd then they fay no ffirit walks abroad ;
The nights are wholcfomc, then no.pJanets ftrifcc,
.No fairy tales, ni' witch hath power to charm j
Su ballow'd and fo gracious U the tirr.e.
Sh^kifp. H.-wlet.
To that psrpofe, he made hade to B.ilVol, that
!all things might be ready agah-J! the prince CJnic
-thither. , X-lamilnn.
■Agahft the promis'd time provides with care,
.And hadcns in the woot' the robes he waj to wean
J)rjdcr.
AU which 1 grant to be reafonablj and trul>
./aid, and only dcfire they may be remcnibe ert
agairjl another day. in/.'m^iir.
A'oALAXY. »./. [from a and yu>M, Gr.]
Want of milk. Dia.
'Ach'rE.ad'j. [from aand_^<j/Sf.] Staring
with eagernefs ; as, a bird gapes for
meat.
In himfolf was all.hU ftatc;
■More folenin than the tedious pomp that waits
On princes, when their rich retinue long
Of hurfes led, and grooms befmear'd with gold,
•Uaztlcs the crowd, and fets them iW.agejie.
Paradife L'fi.
Uarfk the cron-d, ani fet them all aga',t,
Pbtlips.
The whole crowd ftood agafi, and ready to take
the doftor at his word. S/'taMor, N" 572.
A'CARICK. »./ [agaricum, Lit.] A drug
of ufe in phyfic, and the dying trade.
It is divided into male and female ;
the male is ufed only in dying, the fe-
male in medicine : the male grows on
oaks, the female on larches.
'I here are two excrefccmes which grow upon
tree.', both of them in the nature of mu/hrooms ;
the one the Romans call toiitus, which gr ,weth
upon the rootb of oaks, and was one of the daintier
i»f their table ; the other is medicinal, that is call-
ed agarkk, which growcth upon the tops of oaks;
though it be affirmed by fome, that it groweth
alfo at the roots. _ Baan.
At; a'st. adj. [This word, which is ufual-
ly, by later .luthors, written aghajl, is,
not improbably, the true word derived
from aga%e, which has been written
aghtijl, from a miftaken etymology.
See AfiHAST.] Struck with tcrrour ;
amazed ; frighted to alloniftiment. .
Thus roving on
. Jn confns'd march forli.m, th" adiont'rous bands,
' Wth (hudd'ring horrour pale, and eyes egaft,
View'd iirft their lamentable lot, and found
No reft. MUiOKi Parod'tfi h-ifi-
A'cATE. n.f. \agau, Fr. «cA«w, Lat.] A
precious itone of the loweft clafs, often
clouded with beautiful variegations.
In (liape no bigger than an aiate Itone,
On die forefinger of an alJemian.
.... Stakiff. R'nit'j and yuli:t.
^itlii ape only varieties of the tlint kind ; they
' lave a :_;reyi <borny ground, clouded, lineated, o,
9
,A. G .E
fpottcJ w'.tli different colours, chiefly dalvy. Mack,
brown, red, and fometimes blue. fVatdmai'd
A'cATY. aJJ. [from agate.] Partaking o)
tha nature of agate.
An a^cfy flint- was above tw3 inches in diame-
ter i the whole coveied over with a friable creta-
ceous cfuft. H^!xdward-
To Aoa'ze. I'.^a. [from «and gaze, to fet
a gaxitig ; as, amaze, amuje, and others.]
To ftrikc with amazerhent ; to ftupify
with fiidden terrour. Tlte verb is now
out of ufe.
So as they travell'd, fo they 'gan efpy
An armed knight toward them ga'.lop taft,
T!\it fcemcd from foinc feared foe to fly,
Or.other grifly thing ih-U him agaji. Fairj ^atn.
Aa'A'zED.farticifial adj. [from agaze ;
which fee] Struck with amazement ;
«*terrified to ftjpiJity.
Ilundrtus he lent to hell, and none durft ftand
hinvi
Here, there, and every where, enrag'd he flew :
The French exclaim'd, " Thcdevi! was in arms!"
All the whole army flood egaxtd on him.
SkahJp.HettryVl.
AGE. »./. \_age, Fr. anciently cage, or
aag.' ; it is deduced by Msnage from
txiaiium, of 'atas ; by ''Junius, from aa,
which, in the Teutonic dialeils, figni-
fied long duration.] ';
1. Any period of time attributed to fome-
thing as the whole, or part, of its du-
ration : in this fenfc, we fay, the age of
man, the feveral ages of the world, the
golden or iron age.
One man in iiis time plays many parts,
His life being fcvcn ag(i. Shalrjftare.
And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt fcienteen
years ; fo tlie whole age of Jacob was an hundred
forty and feven years. Cenefis, xlvii. 28.
2. A fucccffion or generation of men.
Hence, laftiy, fprings care of poftcrities,
For things their kind wnild eve. lading make.
Hence -sit, that old men do plant young trees.
The fruit whereof another agi flial! take.
Sir y. David.
Nrxt to the Son,
Diftin'd Rcftorcr of mankind, by whom
New heav'n, and earth, (hail to the ag'rs rife.
Or down from heav'n deiccnd.
Mi/titi's Pnradi/s Lijl.
No declining ege
E'er fe'lt the raptures of poetic ra ,e. Rcfccmmon.
3. The time in which any particular man,
or race of men, lived, or ihall live j as,
the age of heroes.
No longer now the golden agf appears,
When patriarch wits furtivd a thoufan* years.
. . • . Pofe,
'4. The fnace of a hundred years ; a fecu-
lar period ; a century.
5 . The latter part of life ; old -age ; old-
nefs.
You fee how full of cb.in,;e his itgr is! the ob-
fervation we have m.idc of it hath not been little ;
he always loved our lillcf moft, nnd with what poor
judgment he hath now call her off!
Sl\iiefirare's King L'ur.
Boys muft nrit hiive th' ambitious care of men,
Nor men the weak anx»ftk**s of ^^i BUcommc:,
And on this forehead, where your vcrfe has faid
The loves delighted, and the i,raccs play'd j
Infulting <!;i;e will ttace his ciuel wjy,
And lca»c lad marks of hi» deilruftive fwajr.
Prinr.
6. Maturity ; ripencfs ; years of difcre-
tion ; full llrength of life.
A folemn admilfioii of profeiytes, a'.l th.it cither,
being of age, dcfire that admiliitfn for themfilves.
AGE
or that, in infancy, are b; others ptefcnted to that
charity of the church. VamniMj,
We thought our fires, not with their own content.
Had, eie we Came to age, our portion Ijient.
DiytUn.
, In law.
la a man, the age of fourteen years is the tige
of difcrcti.-.n ; and twenty -one y.ars is rhe full .in:
In a woman, at feven years of agi, the lord her
father may diftr.iin his ten mts for aid to marry herj
at the age of nine years, flic is dowabie ; at twelve
years, (he is able finally to ratify and confirm her
former confent given to raaa-imony ; at fourteen,
(he is enabled to receive her land into her own
hands, and (hall be out of ward at the death of her
anceftor : at fixteen, (he ihall be out of ward,
though, at the death of her anceftor, flie was within
the age of fourteen years; a; twenty-one, file is
able to allei-.ate her lands and tenements. At the
age oi fjuneen, a ftripling.is enabled to choofe hit
iwn guarJian ; at the age of fourteen, a man may
confent to marriage. Couctl,
A'cED. adj. [from age. It makes two fyl-"
•lablcs in poetry.]
1 . Old ; flricken in years ; applied gene-
rally to animate beings.
if the com^iar'fon do ftand be^vccn man and
man, the aged, for the moll part, are bcft experi-
enced, leaft fubie£l to raJh and unadvifed palTion*.
i/joArr.
Novelty is only in rcqueft i and it is as danger.'in
to be aged in any kind of courfc, as it is virtuou*
to be conftant in any undertaking.'
Sbakeff). Meafurefar Meajitre.
Kindnefs itfclf too weak a charm will prove.
To raifc the feeble fires of dj^ei love. Pn.r,
2. Old; applied to inanimate things. This
ufe is rare, and commonly with fome
tendency to the profcpopceia.
The people did not more worihip the Images of
gold and ivory, than they did the groves j and tlio
lame Quintilian faith of the aged oaks.
SuUingf.etCi Defcme of D'ifc. «i Rem. IdtU
A'cEDLY. adv. [from, aged.] After the
manner of an aged perfon.
Age'n. adv. [ajen, Sa.ic.] Again; in
return. See Again.
This word is now only written in this
manner, though it be in reaiity the true
orthography, for the fake of rhime.
Thus Ve.ius : Thus her fon reply'd agin;
None of your fifters have we heard or Icen.
DryJen.
A'cENCY. n.f. [from agent.]
1. The quality of afting ; the ftate of be-
ing in adlion ; aftion.
A few .advances there are in the following papers,
tending to alTert the fuperintendence and agency of
Providence in the natural world.
H-'oc'divaid s Pief. to Nat. HiJIoty.
2. The office of an .igent or faftor for an-
other; bufinefs performed by an agent.
Some of the purchjfers themfclves may bi; con-
ten: to live cheap in a worfe country, rather than
br at the charge of exchange and agennes. Sw'ij't,
A'GENT. adj. [agens, l.at.] That which
afts ; oppoled to />a/ient, or that which
is afied upon.
This fuccef-, is oft truly afcribcd unto the f.^rce
of imagination upon the body agent ; and ilicn, by
a !ccond.iiy means, it may upon a diierle body 5
as, for exav.ple, if a man cany a ring, or fome_
part of a bcaft, S-i'cvlng Jliongly that it will help
him to obtain his lo\r, it may make him more
indulWous, and a;ain more confident and p.-rti >inj
than clliciwiCe.hc would be. Baccn! N.U. Hiji.
A'gent. n.f.
1 . An aftor ; he that afts ; he tiiat polTcfrcs
the ficulty of ailion.
Wh.ere
\
A G G
Where there is no doubt, d''libe.at*on is not e:c-
cluded as -mpertincrt unto the thing, but as necd-
fcfs in reg ird of the egcr.tf winch .iccth airc?.dy
what to refolve upon.' ■ / ' . Haofa-.
To wliom nor a^f»i:, fi-om the inftrumcnt,
Nor pow'r of working, from the work is known.
Hca%''n made us egenu fr*l to good or ill.
And forc'd it not, tho' he forefaw the wiil.
Freedom was firtl Leftow'd on human race,
And prefcicncc onU held the I'econd place,
Dry<!tn.
A miracle is a work exceeding the power of any
create:! fftrcrty confetjccntly being an effect of the
divine cmni^^-rcnc^, Scathes oA-iro.vr.
2. A lubllinite ; a deputy; a faftor; a
perfon employed to tranfaft the bufinefs
of another.
— Ail hearts in love, ufe your own tODg'JCS ;
let ever)' CTc nejotiate for itfcif.
And cruft no agtirt, Sbakf^art,
The) had n^t tlic wit to find to them, in a'ly
orderly fauiit^n, egsnti or clicfea mtji, to" tcrnpt
them, and to treat with them, fiaon'j //.rry VII.
Remember, Sir, your fury of a wife,
• Who nut content to be reveng'd on yoa, •
The agents of your palfion will purfne.'
Vytuti't Auretig,
3. That which has the power of operating,
or producing efteils upon another thin^.
The) prcduc.d wcnderfui effecis, by the propr
application ofagtnls to patients. "tcm/ile.
AcGEtA-'TioN. n./. [Lat.f£/«.] Concre-
tion of ice.
It Is round in hail, and figured in its guttuious ;
deicenMroin the air, growing greater or lefler ac- '
carding to the accretion or plu > i jus aggtUtkt ab3ut '
the fundamental atoms thereof. ;
Brtiun s yulTor Erriart.
AccENER.'i'TiON. n. /. [from «</ and ^*-
reratio, Lat.] The ftate of growing or
uniting to another body.
To make a perfect nutiition, there is. reotiiiifd a
tranfmutation of nutriment } now- where this-con.
vcTfir'U,ortf|*^ewrtfri£if is made, there isalfo requited,
in <he aliment, a fimilatil^ of matter. |
^rMcn't fafgdr Erriurs
To A'ccER.\TE. t/. a. [from a^gef, Lat.]^
To heap up. Dia.
Agcero'se. adj. [from agger, Lat.] FuUj
of heaps,' ' .' DUl.
To AGGLO'MERATE.' ^. «. [cg^hiairo,
■ Lat.], ' ■
1. To gather up in a ball, af thread.
2. To gather together.
To Ag G L o'm e r a t e . 1-. n.
Bcfide$, the hard agglcmeral'mg fait:,
The fpoil of ages, would impcfvious choke ■ '
Their frcret channels. 7i.?-!''fn'j Aulumr.
Acclu'ti N ANTS. 71./. [from a^t;ft'finaU.]'
Thofe medicines or appIicitici'S wh'ich
have the power of uniting parts together.
To AGGLUTINATE. t..». [from ad'and
gli'ien, glue, Lat.] To unite one part to
anotrier; to join together, foas not to fall
afunder. Jt is a word almoll appropri-
...-rl
rtnc.
•t.riomejiough '
A GG
Tlie occafion of it^not healinj hy ff,7-|r/r, -.■...;';•.<,,
as the other did, was from the alteration the ichoi
had begun to make in the bottom of the wnind.
Ac G\.v'ri'K^liy%'.iUiJ.\Jtomag^l:itii7ate.'\
That which Ips the power of procuring
agglutination.
Rowl up the member with the eggluthat'i'j-
rowler. JViunan.
To AGGRANDI'ZR. -v. a. [aggraniiijer,
Fr. ] To make great ; to enlarge ; to
exalt ; to improve in power, honour, or
rank. It is applied to perfons gene-
rally, fometimes to thiiig.s.
It the king Ihould ufe it no better than the pope
did, only to nggrandi-ci: covetous churchmen, it
cannot be called a jewel in his crown.
Ayl.fe's PartrgDn.
_ Thefc fumilh us with glorious f'prings and me-
diums, to raife and aggrantiixe our conceptions, to
warm our fouls, to awaken the better paflions, and
to elevate thcra even to a divine pitch, and that for
dcvjtional purpolcs. fl-'jt.'s^s Imf-r. cf:UATlneS.
A'CGRANDIZEMENT. n. /. \aggrandijpi.
ment, Yr."] The ftate of being aggran-
dized ; the aft of aggrandizing.
A'c o R A N D I z E R . 11. J. [from aggrandize. ]
The perfon that aggrandii;es or makes
great another.
ToAgcra'te. 'V. a. \aggYatare, Ital.]
To pleafe ; to treat with civilities : a
word not now in ufe. ^
And in the midft thereof, upon the fldor,
A lovely bvy of fair ladies fatej
'■> ; Conned'of many a jolly' parampur ;
The which them did in model! wife amate,
A.^d cac'h one fought his lady to aggraie.
Fairy ^veen.
TVA'GGRAVATE. V. a.laggra'uo, iTat.]
r. To make heavy, flfed only in a nfieta-
phorical feai'e ; as, to c^^irrtt/^ an ac-
cufation, or a puniQiraent.
A grove hard by, fprung.ij> with this «heir change,
■ .His wiil who reigns ab^ve! to aggritvaie
Their penaace, Udcn with fruit, like that
Wli'ich grew in Paradife, the b.iit of Eve
UsM by the tempter. " muH'] P^radift Lcjl.
Ambitious Turmis in the prtfs appears, '
AaittggrfvifUKg cjimcs aogmeats th-.tr fears. , .
Dryd. j^^ci.l.
2. Fo make any thing worfe, by the ad-
dition of forae particular ciiCuinHance,
not eflential. '
This offence, iii ItfeH" B> '•: ,:.
him «^r*waW by'.thc rastiv* thereof, which was
not malice or diftontunt, but in afjiiring mind tc-
the papacy. "" ' ""
Acf.R AV/i'
I. The'aa oi
heavy., .
Z. Th. :r;7^'
A I
and h.
it in:
3. The
dents, which.
criinc. r,r rh#*
Bjccni Henry Vll.
'" \Jr()vn aggrai.ale.']
ii^graviating, ^^" or ! making
' ^ ' '• imity. ,^
..t'J.Uie f^ce,
•-' n ,..■: r-.iTures ch^nge^l
'", : . It'. ■■- Ai^^iiltt.
...cnmflances or afci-
increafe tai
: guilt of a
■'"mity..- ■
iiatii the Vtt.
t'lnated to the foundatic
AOCLUTINA T
O.v. n.J.
coKcfioi.
he (Lite l.
ftsi r.'
lOi
i
4*11.11 cunltficnre, a^air;:.
-';■' -.oif it'br^ifgh'd .: I
'h a^rritu/.auj not furcharg'd,
'^ allowance cnumerpois'd, •■ '
r.'y I .ird'>n fii.d '
.1 , 111 'If hi'iij lef-.. M'lhm.
i.at.;[ Fra-1'
r:rtJCj;.-ir
A G G
The foljd reafon of one man with unprejudicate'*
apprehenlions, begets as firm a belief?, rh^ aulho-
lity or uggrfgute leltiniuuy of many hundred.!.
Bnwv's !':llgtir Errcu)!,
They had, for a long time together, producci
mahy other inept combirations, or ti^rre^.j.'c forms
of particular thi.ng^, and nonftnllcalfyftems of fhe
"■!iole. ■ Ry t,n the Cnaur.n.
A'cGREGATE. n. f. [from the verb.] The
complex, or colleftive rcfult of the con-
junflion or acervation of many parti-
culars.
The reafon of the far greateft part of mankind,
is but ^Mi'aggngetc of miltalieii phanrafms, and,
in things not feniible, a conftant deiuiion.
GlanvUlt's Reef,/:! Siifnt'ifia, ■
A great number of living and thinking particles ^
could not poiiibly, by their mutual contact, and
pic/hng, and Rriking, compofe one greater indi-
vidual animal, with one mind and uiiJerftnndin?,
and a vital confenfion of the whole b .dy ;, aiiy
more than a fwarm of bees, or a crowd of men and
women, can be conceived to make up one paiticular
livihg creature, compoundftd and conltituted of the
aggrrgiiic of them all. B.-ni/rv. ■
To A'GGREGATE. nj. a. [aggrego, La*t']
To colleft together ; to accumulate; to
heap many particulars into one mafs.
The aggregated foil
Death, with his mace petrifick, cold, and dry.
As with a trident, fmote. Miltcns Parad. Ltft,.
Aggrega'tio-n. n.f. [from aggrtgate.^
1. Colleiaion,., or ftate of being collcfted.
Their individual Imperfeflions being great, th.-y
ire moreover enlarged by their nggregatwn ; and
being erroneous in their tingle numbers, once hud-
: died together, they will be errour itfelf.
. . : ' ■ > Brt/iuti^i Vitlgijr ErrourSt
2. The colleftion, or aft of collefting many
particulars into one whole.
The water refident ii\^i abyfs is» in all parts ■
of u, doted with .a coufiderable quantity of hc.it,
aad more efpei^i.illy in thofc where thcfe extrao;di-
riary a^gr,giiiicni of this fire happen.
IV^odtvard* s Natural Hiftorym
3. The whole compofed by the coacerva-
tion of many particulars ; an aggregate.
Tt> A'GGRE'SS. <v. n. [aggredior, aggref-
fi.i:, Lat.] To commit the firll ad of.
violence ; . to begin the quarrel.
. Tho glorious pair .ndvance.
With mlot^cd anger, and collei51ed might,
To turn the w,ir, and t^ "g^ejing franc?, .
How Bfitajn's fons and Britam's friends can fijfit..
,,'-''■ ■ l-'rior.
Accre ssion. n-./.[aggye^o,l.3-i-'\ Thft
firfl aft of injury ; commencement of
a quarrel by fome aftof i.iiquity.
Tiicrc is nordiliinqof a c 'mmo:! enemy, *itb3ut
an union for 4 mjutual dtfiBCc; and, th?re inay
' be iilfo, 01^ tlic6therhanJ,'afonfj.ir'acy(ifcomi» n
:fn!nhy^nii.,iggr(ff;,n. \ I'S/ln-rgt.
AcGRE.ssOR. a./, [fronj aggr,/s.] The
perfon. tliat firlt commencvjs hotlility ;
the aflafllter-or invader, oppofcd to the-
difcifdanf. " ' '
- 1 I'^y'ifl. nature's face.'
Pit Iinw, ..' n^M.i-. Hv It',' ,'-„ (■,.- . r,..'i >
..T .okto'f. ■
'"' . ' Dryd.n..
; • .. JtiJ^ >iC;Jl.uiJu<iiiy ciiCjjTji/Jai^ei to be oWigcd
to retali.ite the ir.ji,r.c.i of fuch .lutliois, v-holi
works ,, :ir;that we arc in danger
' ^'"^y ■ ',i i!ggr'cij!,r!.
Pspe and Sio'tft.
Ao c R j't VAN CE.«./ [Sec Grievance.]'
Injury; hardfliip inflifted ; wrong en--
dured.
Tr, Ar
i
^'■vt,. ti^a^ [^rom ^j-fl-wV, Ji»t.-
I. To
A G I
«. To give forrow ; to caufe grief; to rex.
It is not improbable, that to grie've was
originally neuter, and aggrieve the ac-
tive.
But w.hile therein I took my chief delight,
' 1 (aw, jIu \ the gaping earth devour
The fprinc, the plice, and all clean out of fight :
■Whitli }-•! iggr'uvci my heat even to this ho'ir.
3. To impofe fomc hardftiips upon ; to
harafs ; to htirt in one's right. This
is a kind of juridical fenfe ; and when-
ever it is ufed now, it feetns to bear
fome allufion to formsof law.
Sewall, archbiibop ol York, much aggr\r-.rH
with foin: prjfiicei of ihc pope's collectors, cock
ail patiently. Camkv.
The landed man finds himfelf ii^jr;?T/««/ by the
ifalling of ^is rents, and the {(reightcning of his
ifo/tune; whilrt the m^uied man Ictept up his gain,
»nd the meichant thiivcs and grows rich by trade.
Lockt.
Of injw'd fame, and mighty wrongs teceiv'd,
Cbloc complains, and wond'rcuAy 'i a^ricu'd-
* ■ GrajwilU*
fo Agcrotj'p. v. a. \^aggri)pare,\t3.\.'\ To
bring together into one figure ; to crowd
together: a teria of painting.
Bodies of divers naluics, wliivh are {jggr:upftl
(or combined) together, are agreeable and pleaUnt
to the fight. _ Drydcn.
Acha'st. adj. [cither the participle of
agaze (fee Agaze), and then to be
written agaxed, or ago/}, or from a and
.j^aj-r, a ghoft, which the prefent ortho-
graphy favours ; perhaps they were ori-
ginally different words.] Struck with
horrour, as at the fight of a fpedtre ;
ftupified with t^rrour. It is generally
applied to the ^iernal appearance.
She fighing fore, as if iier heart in twaine
Had riven been, and all her heart-ftrings braft.
With d reary drooping eyne l»ok'd up like o«e agbjjl.
Sfuijir,
The aged eartTi a^baft.
With terxour of that bla/l.
Shall from thefurface to the centre (hake. Mdtun.
jtgbafi he wak'd, and, ftirting from his ted,
•Cold fweat in clammy drops his limbs o'erfprcad.
Drydin'i Mr.cid.
1 laugh to think how your unrtiaken Caco
Will lo<Sk aghafi, while unforefecn deftruftion
Pours in upon him thus from every fide.
j^difoti^s Cat^.
A'GILE. adj. [agile, Fr. agilis, Lat.]
Nimble ; ready ; having the quality of
being fpeedily put in motion ; active.
With that he gave his able horfe the head.
And bending forward ({ruck his agili heels
Againftthe panting fides of his poor jade,
Vp to the rowel-head. Sbakrfp. }!inry IV.
The immediate and agik fubfervience of tlje
^irits to the empite of the mind or foul.
Hale' I Origin of Matihind.
To guide its anions with in/brming care.
In peace to judge, to conquer in the war.
Render it ogilt, witty, valiant, fage.
As (its the various courfe of human age. Trhr.
A'oiLBNEss. n.J. [fromoj-/7«.] The qua-
lity of being agile ; nimblenefs ; rea-
dinefs for motion ; quicknefs ; adivity ;
agility.
Aci'i-tTY. »./. [agilitas, Lat. fiomagilis,
agile.] Nimblenefs ; readinefs to move ;
quicknefs ; aftivity.
A limb ovcr-llrained by lifting a weight al>ove
Its pawer, may never recover its former agility and
vigour. TT'aiti.
AGl'LLOCHUM. n.f. Aloes-wood. A
tree in tiie Eaft-Indies, brought to us in
A G I
fmall bits, of a very fragront fcent. It
is liot, drying, and accounted -a llrength-
enerof the nerves in general. The beft
is of a blackifh purple colour, and fo
light as to fwim upon water. Sluincy.
jfGJO. n.f. [An Italian word, fignifying
cafe or conveniency.] A mercantile
term, nfcd chiefly in Holland and Ve-
nice, for the ditFerence between the value
of bank notes, and the current money.
Chambers.
To AGI'ST, V. a. [from gijie, Fr. a bed
or refting-place, or from gifter, i. e.
ftabulia-i.'] To take in and feed the
cittle of Ih-angers in the king's foreft,
and to gather the money. The officers
that do this, are called cgiftors, in Eng-
lifli, gueft or gift-takers. Their funftion
is terflied agiftment ; as, agiftment upon
the fea-banks. This word agiji is alfo
ufed, for the taking in of other men's
cattle into any man's ground, at a cer-
tain raxe per week.] Blount.
Aoi'sTMENT. n.f. [See Agist.] It is
taken by the canon lawyers in aiuither
fenfe than is mentioned under agift.
They feem to intend by it, a modus or
conipofition, or mean rate, at which
fome right or due may be reckoned : per-
haps it is corrupted from addoucijfement ,
or adjuftment.
Aci'sToa. n.f. [ffom /Jfj/?.] An officer of
the king's forefl. See Agist.
A'g 1 T A B L E . adj. [from agitate ; agitahilis,
Lat.] That which May be agitated, or
put in motion ; perhaps that which may
be difputed. See Agitate, and Agi-
tation. . . . ,
To A'GITATE. v. «. [agio, Lat.]
1 . To put in motion ; to (hake ; to move
nimbly ; as, the furface of the waters
is agitated by the wind ; the veffel was
broken by agitating the Uquor.
2. To be the caufe of motipn ; to aftuate ;
to move.
Where dwells this (bv'reljn arbitrary foul,
Which does the human animal concroul,
Inform each part, and agitata the wliole? Blacknore.
J. To affed with perturbation ; as, the
mind of man is agitated by various
paflions.
4. To ftir ; to bandy from one to another ;
to difcufs ; to controvert ; ^s, to agitate
a quelHon^
Though this controverfy be revivedi an4 hotly
agitated among the moderns ; yet I doubt whether
it be not, in a great part, a nominal difpute. '
Boyie on Colours.-
5. To contrive; to revolve; to form by
laborious thought.
Farmalitics of extraordinary ecal and piefy arc
never more (ludied and elaborate, than when poli-{
ticians nioH agitate defperate defjgns. K'nig Charles.
Agita'tion. »./. [homagitate; agitatio,
Lat.] ; '
1. The aftofmovingor fhaking anything.
Putrefadtion alkoth rcll ; for the lubtle motion
which putrefaction requireth, is difturbed by any
agitation. Boicr,.
2. The ftate of being moved or agitated ;
as, the waters, after a ftorm, are fome
time in a violent agitation.
3. Difcu&on ; controverfial examinatisn.
AGO
A It'md of a fchool qutllion is Sarted !n this fable,
upon reafon and inliinO ; this deliberative pro.
ceeding of the crow, was rather a logical agiia:iaii
of the matter. i: tfiran^e' s fahUi,
If. Violent motion of the mind ; pertur-
bation ; difturbance of the thoughts.
A great perturbation in nature '. to receive at
once the bene(it of fleep, and do the eRetts of
watching. In this (lumbry agitation, belides her
walking, and other aflaal performances, what
have you heard her fay ? Shakejftart'i Macbeth.
His mother could no longer bear the agitatioru
of (0 many palTions as tlirongcd u"on her.
■ Taller, N" 55.
5. Deliberation; contrivance; the ftate
of being confulted upon.
■The projeil now in agilaian for repealing of
the teft aft, and yet leaving the narae'of an ellad-
lifhment to the prefent national church, is incon-
fiftcnt. Sivifi'i Mi'celhnie!.
Agita'tor. n.f. [from agitate.] He that
agitates any thing ; he who manages
affairs : in which fenfe feems to be ufed
the agitators of the army.
A'rtLET. n.f. [Some derive it from afyXi!,
fplendour ; but it is apparently to be
deduced from aigulette, Fr. a tag to a
point, and that from aigu, fharp.]
1 . A tag of a point curved into fome re-
prefentation of an animal, generally of
a man.
He thereupon gave for the garter a chain wortti
2col. and his gown addre(red with aglets, efteemed
worth 15!. Hayward.
Why,. give him gold enough, and marry him
to a puppet, or an aglet baby, or an old trut, and
ne'er a tootli in her head.
Sbakejfeare" s T.inir.g of the Sbrrio.
2. The pendants at the ends of the chieves
of flowers, as in tulips.
A'cMiNAL. adj. [from a^/»^«, Lat.] Be-
longing to a troop. D:S.
A'g NAIL. adj. [from anje, grieved, and
najle, a nail.] A difeafe of the nails ;
a whitlow ; an inflammation round the
nails.
Agna'tion. n.f. [from agnatus, Lat.]
Defcent from the feme father, in a di-
reft male line, diftinfl from cogaation,
or confanguinity, which includes defcea-
dants from females.
Agni'tion. n.f. [from aguitie, XaI.^
Acknowledgment.
To Agni'ze. ■v. a. [from agtofco, Lat.]
To acknowledge ; to own ; to avow.
This word is now obfolete.
1 do agniau
A natural and prompt alacrity
I find in hardnefs. Shalrffeari's OiiilU.
Agnomina'tio.v. n.f. [agnominatio, Lat.]
Allufion of one word to another, by rc-
femblance of found.
The Bririlh continueth yet in Wales, and fome
villages of Cornwall, intermingled with provincial
Latin, being very lignificative, copiois, and plea-
(^ntly running upon agnotr.intnons, although hardi
in al'pirations. Catnden.
AGKVS CASTUS. n.f [Lat.] The name
of the tree commonly called the Chafe
Tree, from an imaginary virtue of pre-
ferving chaftity.
Of laurel fjme, of woodbine many more.
And wreathes of agnut cajius others bore. Dryd,
Ago', adv. [ajan. Sax. pall or gone ;
whence writers formerly ufed, and in
fome provinces the people ftill ufe, agone
for ago.] Pall ; as, long ago ; that is,
long
AGO
Jong time has pad fince. Reckoning
time towards the prefent, we \ik fence ;
as, it is a ye3.x fence it happened : reck-
oning from the prefent, we ufe ago ; as,
it happened a year ago. I'his is not,
perhaps, always obferved.
The great fupp?y
Are wreck'd three nights ami on Gadwin finds.
Stahf^ eare.
This both by othfn and myfelf I know.
For I have fcrv'd their rovercign long tigo ;
Oft have been caught within the winding train.
Dryd,rCi Fabics,
I (hill fct down an account of a difcourfc I
chanced to have with one of the.n fjme time c^o.
j^iUiji^ni Frtiiotdir.
Ago'c. aJv. [a word of uncertain ety-
mology : the French have the term a
gcgo, in low language ; zi.ils iiivc/it a
gcgo, they live to their wilTi : from this
phrafe our word may be, perhaps, de-
rived.]
I. In a (late of defire ; in a ftate of warm
imagination ; heated with the notion
of fome enjoyment ; longing ; llrongly
excited.
As fjr the fcnfe and reafon of it, that has little
«r nothing to do here ; only let it found full and
round, and chime right to the humour, which
is at prefent agog (juft as a big, long, rattling
natne is faid to command even adoration fiom a
Spaniard), and, no doubt, with this powerful,
fenfelefs engine, the rabble driver flialj be able t^
carry all before h;m. Scuib'i S.tkhiii.
Z. It is ufed with the verbs to be, or to fet ;
as, he is agog, or you may fet him
'i'he gawdy gnflip, whfn the'sfer agog.
In jewels dreft, and at each ear a bob.
Goes flaunting out, and, in her trim of pride.
Thinks all flic fays or does is juftifj'd.
Dryd. Jiiv. Sat. vi.
This maggot has no {ooner Jet him agc', bui
he gets him a fliip, f eights hor, builds caitlcs in
the air, and conceits both the ladies in his cof-
fers. L'E/lr.tnzt.
3. It has the particles on, or far, before
the object of defire.
On which the fj'nts ar« all agog,
Ard all this for a bear and dog. Hudihr. (ant, ii.
Gvffios generally ft.agi;le into thefe parts, and
fet the heads of our fervant-maidi fo agcg fir
hulbands, that we do not cxpefl to have any bufi-
nefs done as it fliouij be, whil.1 they are in the
country. Mdifuit't SfiBatcr.
Aco'iNC, participial adj. [from a and
going.^ In aftion ; into aftion.
Their firft movement, and imprejed motions,
demanded the impuli'e of an almighty hand to fet
them firll agolrtg, TatUr,
Aco'ne. adv. [ajan. Sax.] Ago; paft.
See Ago.
is he fuch a princely one.
As you fpeak him long agent?
Ben 'Jonffm^s Fairy Prhce.
A'cONiSM. n.f. [iyMiiTfio,-, Gr.] Conten-
tion for a prize. Diil.
A'coNisT. n.f. [aytjVijj Gr.] A con-
tender for prizes. Diit.
AcoNi'sTES. n.f. [Uyc^nrrii; , Gr.] A prize-
fighter ; one that contends at r.»y pub-
lic folemnity for a prize. Milton has
fo ftyled his tragedy, bec.iufe Samfon
was called cut to divert the Philiftines
with feats of llrength.
AcoNi'sTiCAL.a*^'. [from<7jo«//?cv.] Re-
lating to prize-fighting. Did.
I« A'coNizE. V. n. [from agonisx, low
Vol. I.
A G R
Latin ; iyuti^u, Gr. rgonifer, Fr.] To
feel agonies ; to be in excefTive pain.
Doft thou behold my poor diltrafled heirt,
Thus-rent with agoi:izing love and rage.
And afic me what it means ? Art tliyu not falfe ?
R'.'tU'-'s f-int S/^are.
Or touch, if, tremblingly alive all o'er,
To fmait and agonixe at evVy pore ?
Fc/re's Fff-iy on Man.
Acokothe'tick. adj. [xyut s.ni z'i^r,fn,
Gr.] Propofing publick contentions for
prizes ; giving prizes; prefiding at pub-
lick games. Ditl.
A'GONY. n.f. [aya*, Gr. agon, low Lat.
agonie, ^r.'\
1 . The pangs of death ; properly the lall
contcil between life and death.
Never was there more pity in faving any than
in ending me, bccaufj therein my agony fliali end.
Sidney.
Thou who for me did'feel fuch pain,
Whofe precious blood the crofs did ftain.
Let not thc.fe agcn'us be va.n. Rofccmmcn.
2. Any violent or exceflive pain of body
or mind.
Betwijt them both, they have mc done to dy.
Thro' wounds and lirokes, and ftubborn handeling.
That death were better than fuch agcny.
As grief and fury unto me did bring. Fairy Slueen.
Thee I have mifs'd, and thought it long, depriv'd
Thy prefence, ag'nj of love ! till now
Not felt, nor (hall be twice. Mihon't Par. Lofl.
3. It is particularly ufed in devotions for
our Redeemer's conflict in the garden.
To propofe our defires, which cannot take fuch
effciS as we fpecify, fhall, notwithftaniing, other-
wife procure ui his heavenly grace, even as this
very prayer of Chr.ft obtained angels to be fent
him as comforters in his t:gony. Hooker.
Ago'od. adv. [a ATiA gcod.'\ In eameft ;
• not fJAttioudy. Not in ufe.
At that time 1 made her weep agood,
For 1 did play a hmeitable pirt.
Stikeffejr:'! Ttvn Gent, ef Ver'na-
Acot;'TY. n.f. An animal of the An-
tilles, of the bignefs of a rabbet, with
bright red hair, and a little tail without
hair. He has but two teeth in each jiw,
holds his meat in his fore -paws like a
fquirrel, and has a very remarkable cry.
When he is angry, his hair Hands on
end, and he ilrikes the- earth with his
hind-feet, and, when chafed, he flies
to a hollow tree, whence he is expelled
by fmoke. Tre'voux.
•ToAcra'ce. "v. a, [from a ?mA grace. "[
To grant favours to ; to confer benefits
upon : a word not now in ufe.
She granted, and that knight fo much agra<'i.
That the him taught celeftial difcipline.
Fairy Sluiin.
Acra'mmatist. n. f. [a, fri'u. and
yfa.jj.u.!ic, Gr.] An illiterate man. Did.
Agra'rian. adj. \_agrarius, Lat.] Re-
lating to fields or grounds ; a word fel-
dom ufed but in the Roman hillory,
where there is mention of the agrarian
\av/.
yiAoRE'ASE. 1/. (T. [{roai a And greafe.']
To daub ; to greali; ; to pollute with
filth.
The waves thereof fo (low and fluj?gi(h were,
Engrofs'd with mud, which did them foul agreafe.
Fairy liluetn.
To AGRE'E. If. n. [agreer, Fr. fromgre,
liking or good-will; gratia smd gratus,
Lat.]
V A G R
1. To be in concord ; to live without con-
tention ; not to differ.
The more you e:g!ee together, the Icfs hurt can
your enemies do you. Brccme's P*iitv '^f Epic Poetf y.
2. To grant ; to yield to ; to admit ; with
the particles to or upon.
And perfuaded them to agree to all rcafonable
conditions. z RTjccateci, xi. 14.
We do not prove the origin of the earth from a
chaos ; fccirg that is agreed on by all that give it
ary origin. Burnet.
3. To fettle amicably.
A form of vi ords were quickly agreed on between
th'-m for 3 pertVdt combinat'.on. C'arendr^n.
4. To fettle terms by fiipulation ; to ac-
cord : followed by ivit/j.
Agree zviib thine aJverfary quickly, whilft thcu
art in the .way with him ; left at any time the
adverfary deliver t.hee to the judge, and the judge
deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cart into
prifon. Matt. v. 15.
5. To fettle a price between buyer and
feller.
Friend, I do tlice no wrong; didft not thou
agree vjilb me for a penny? Mal>. xx. 13,
6. To be of the fame mind or opinion.
He exceedingly provoked or unJerwent the
envy, and reproach, and malice of men of all
qualities and conditions, who agreed in nothing
elfe. Clarendon.
Milton is a noble genius, and the world agree: to
confefs it. ff^attt^s Imprtjvcment of the Mind.
7. To concur ; to co-operate.
Muft the whole man, amazing thought! return
To the cold ma.ble and contra-ted urn ?
And never Ihall thofe particles agree,
That were in life this individual he ? Prior.
8. To fettle fome point a;nong many, with
upon before a noun.
Strifes and troubles would be cndlefs, except
they gave their common confent all to be ordered
by fome whom they fiijuld agree upon. Honker.
If men, iktUed in chymical affairs, {hsW agree
to write clearly, and keep men from being ftunned
by dark or en>p;y words, they will be reduced
eitiier to write nothing, or books that may teach
u^ fjniething. Boyle.
9. To be confiilent ; not to contradift;
with to ot luith.
For many bare falfe witnefs againft him, but
their witnefs agreed not together. Mark, xiv. 56.
They that ftood by faid again to Peter, Suely
thou art one of them : for thou art a Galilean,
and thy fpeecli ogreeib thereto. Mark, xiv. 70.
Which teftimony I the lefs fcruple to all/ge,
bec.iufe it agrees very well -with what has been af-
firmed to me. Bayle,
10. To fuit with; to be accommodated
to : with to or --with.
Thou fceJeft thine own people with angels food,
and didft fend them from heaven bread agreeing to
every tafte. _ mjdom.
His principles could not be ma.le to agree with
that conftitulion and order which God had fettled
in the world ; and, therefore, muft needs clalh
with common fenfe and experience. Locke,
1 1. To caufe no difl:urbance in the body.
I have often thought, that our prefcribing affej
milk in fuch fmall quantities, is injudicious; for,
undoubtedly, with luch as it agrea with, it would
perform much gieater and qnicker cflefls, iit
greater quantities. .Orbutbnot.
To Ac re'e. 1;. a.
1 . To put an end to a variance.
He faw from far, or feemed for to fee.
Some troublous uproar, or contentious fray,
Whereto he drew in haflc it to agree.
Fairy Slueen, i. it.
2. To make friends ; to reconcile.
The mighty rivals, whofe deftrud^ive rage
Did the whole world io civil aims engage.
Ate now agreed. Rojcommm.
H VLore'eable.
A G R
^cke'iaBLC. dJj. [agreaile,¥t.']
1. Suitable to ; confiftent with j conform-
able to. It has the particle to, or ivith.
This piucity of blood is agrciabU It many other
•nimilt, at ft-tgs, lizardi, and other fidies.
£rawH*t Vulgar Errouri,
Tha Hcl'isht whlc!i men have in popuhirlty,
fame, fubmiffiw, and fubjcflion of otlier n)cii'»
minds, fecmeth to he a thing, in itlelf, witliout
contemplation c( confcqiience, agmAh- and grate-
ful to the natuve ot" man. Baan's Natura/ Ui/lory
What you do, is not at all ogneahlt either
wkb fo good a chriftian, or fo rcalbnabic and (c
treat a pcifun. Tewfk.
That which is agriealk fj the nature of one
thing, is many times contrary to the narure of
another. VEJlr.wge.
As Uic praflice of all piety and viitue is agrec-
ciie to our reafon, fo is it likcwlfe the iniereft
both of private perl'ons and of public focieties.
TilUtfin.
2. In the following paflage the adjedive
is ufed by a. familiar corruption for the
adverb agreeably.
jigreiahlc tereunto, perl?sps it might not beamifs,
to make children, asibon as they are capable of it,
«ften to tell a ftory. ttcke on EJucatim.
3. Pleafing ; that is fuitable to the incli-
sation, faculties, or temper. It is ufed
in this fenfe both of perfons and things.
And while the face of outward things we find
Pleafant and fair, agricatU and fweet,
Thefc things tranfport. SlrJ.Dav'm.
1 rtcollefl in my mind the difcourfes which
feave palTed between us, and call to mind a thou-
fand agretahli remarks, which he has made on
thefe occafions. Addijr.n, SfeSatcr, N^ 541.
Agre'eableness. n.f. \^(rom agreeabU.'\
». Confiftency with; fuitablenefs to: with
the particle to.
Plealant tafles depend not on the things them-
felves, but their agrtiablnefi to this or that parti-
cular palate, wherein there is great variety. Locke.
3. The quality of pleafmg. It is ufed in
an infericur fenfe, to mark the pro-
duftion of fatisfadlion, calm and laft-
i.Tg, but below rapture or admiration.
There will be occafion for largenefs of mind
Uki agremk/entfi of temper. Co/tier of Frieniljhip.
It is very much an image of that author's writ-
ing, who has an agrieahhmfi that charms us,
without corrcflncfs J like a miftrefs, whofe faults
We fee, but love her with them all. Pope.
3. Refemblance; likenefs; fometimes with
the particle betiveen.
This re'.a'ion is likewife fecn in the agrteahlt-
tuft icnireta m^n and the other parts of the uni-
verfe. dviu'j Cofmchgia Sacra.
Agre'eably. a^'v. [from agreeable.]
1. Confiftently with ; in a manner fuitable
to.
They may look into the affairs of Judea and
JcrufaletD, agreeai/y to that which is in the law of
tlic Loirf. I EJJ, xviii. II.
i. Pleafingly.
1 did never imagine, that fo many excellent
rules could be produced fo advanugeoufly and
•igrtcatlj. iivift.
Agrb'ed. participial adj. \Jtoxa agree.]
Settled by confent.
When they had got known and agreid names,
to fignify thofe internal operations of their own
minds, they were fuificiently furnifhed to make
known by words all their ideas. I.ccke.
Aore'eingness. n./. [from agru.] Con-
fidence ; fuitablencft.
Ar;RE'EMENT. tt. J. [agremea/, Fr. in
law Latiri agreemeattus, which Coke
would willingly derive from aggrtgatio
uuntiua.\
'A G U
1. Concord.
What agreamtt is there between the hyeni and
the dog ^ and what peace between the rich and
the poor ? Ecctuy. xiii. 18.
1, Refemblance of one thing to another.
The djviliiin and quavering which pleafc fo
much in mufick, have ah agravmii with the glit-
tering of light, as the moon-beams playing upon a
wave. * Bacon.
Expanfion and duration have this farther agrit-
mti.i, that though they are both confidered by
us as having parts, jet their parts are not feparahi.
ore from another. Locke.
3. Compafk ; bargain; condufionof con-
troverfy ; llipulation.
And your covenant with death (hall be difan-
nulled, and your agreement with hell (hall not
(land J when the overflowing fcourge (hall pafs
through, then ye (hall be trodden down by it.
Jfaiab, xxviii. iS.
Make an agreerrent with me by a prefcnt, and
come out to me, and then eat ye every man of
his own vine, and every one of his fig-tree.
2 K'mgs, xviii. 31.
Frog had given his word, that he would meet
the company, to talk of this agreement.
I jirbuthnot's Hiftory af John Bull.
Agre'stick, or Acre'stical. adj.
[from agrejlis, Lat.] Having relation
to the country ; rude ; ruftick. Di£i.
Agricola'tjon. n. f. [from agricola,
Lat.] Culture of the ground. DiB.
A'griculture. n.f. [agricultiira, Lat.]
The art of cultivating the ground; til-
lage ; hufbandry, as dillinft from paf-
turage.
He ftrictly advifeth not to begin to fow before
the fftting of the (lars; which, notwithftanding,
without injury to agriculturey cannot be obferved
in England. Brotvn^s Vulgar Errours.
That there was tillage bellowed upon the ante-
diluvian ground, Mofes does indeed intimate in
general ; what fort of tillage that was, is not
expreffed : I hope to (hew that tlieir agriculture
was nothing near fo laborious and trcublefome,
nor did it take up fo much time as ours doth.
H^ooiiivartts Natural Hi^ory,
The difpcfition of UlyiTes inclined him to war,
rather than the more lucrative, but more fecure,
method of life, by agriculture and hulbandry.
Broome's Notes c/t tbe Odyff^y.
A'grimon'y. n.f. [a^rimoiiia, Lat.] The
name of a plant. The leaves are rough,
hairy, pennated, and grow alternately
on the branches ; the flower-cup con-
fifts of one \ezf, which is divided into
five fegments : the flowers have five or
fix leaves, and are formed into a long
fpike, which expand in form of a rofe ;
the fruit is oblong, dry, and prickly,
like the burdock ; in each of which are
contained two kernels. Miller.
To AoRi'sE. f. rt. [ajpipan. Sax.] To
look terrible. Out of ufe. Spenfer.
Te .A.ORi'sE. -v.' a. To terrify. Spenfer.
Acro'und. ad<v. [from a and^ro»»</.]
1. Stranded ; hindered by the ground from
pafling farther.
With our great (hips, we durft not approach the
eoail, we having been all of us aground.
Sir W. RaUlgb's EJJays.
Say what you fecic, and whither were you bound ?
Were you, by ftrefs of weather, cad aground f
DryJm'sJEndd.
2. It is likewife figaratirely ufcd, for
being hindered in the progrefs of af-
fairs ; a'^, the negotiators were aground
at that objeftion.
.'\'GUE, n.f. [aigu,Ft, acute.] An in-
AHA
termitting fever, with cold fits fuceeed-
ed by hot. The cold fit is, in popular
language, more particularly called the
/ ague, and the hot the fever.
Our caftle's ftrength
Will laugh a fiege to fcom. Hctp let them lie.
Till famine and tbe ague eat them up. Shakefif
'I hough
He feels the heats of youth, and colds of aget-
Vet neither tempers nor correfls -he others
As if there were an ague in his nature.
That (lill inclines to one extreme. Dtnbam'tSofiby.
A'cviu. adj. [from ague.] Struck with
an ague ; (hivering ; cJiill ; cold : a
word in little ufe.
All hurt behind, backs red, and facei pale.
With flight and agued tear ! Sbaktfp. CtrioLnm.
A'gi/e fit. ti. f. [from agiu and yS/.]
Tlie paroxyfm of the ague.
This ague Jit of fear is overblown.
Sbakeff. Rich. ir.
A'gue PROOF. <j<^'. [from ague and proof. 1
Proof againft agues ; able to refift the
caufes which produce agues, without
being afl^efted.
when the rain came to wet me once, and the
wi«J to make me chatter; when the thunder would
not peace at my bidding ; tliere I found 'em,
there 1 fmclt 'em out. They told me 1 was every
thing : 'tis a lie ; I am not ague proof .
Shakffearci King l^ar.
A'cuE-TREE. n.f. [from ague and trie.]
A name fometimes given to faffafras.
Dia.
ToAovi'sE. "v. a. [from a znd guife. See
Guise.] Todrefs; to adorn; to deck :
a word now not in ufe.
As her fantaftic wit did moft delight.
Sometimes her head (he fondly would aguift
With gaudy garlands, or frelh flowers dighc
About her neck, or rings of rulhes plight.
f-iiVy Slueen.
A'guish. adj. [flora ague.] Having the
qualities of an ague.
So calm, and io lerenc, but now.
What means this change on Myra's brow ?
Her aguijh love now glows and bums.
Then chills and (hakes, and the cold fit returns.
Granville.
A'guishness. ». f. [from aguijh.] The
quality of refembling an ague.
-Ah. Inter jcQicn.
I. A word noting fometimes diflike and
cenfure.
ylhl fmful nation, a people laden with ini-
quity, a feed of evil-doers, children that are cor-
rupters, they have forfaken the Lord. Ijaiah, i. 4.
z. Sometimes contempt and exultation.
Let them not fay in their heart*. Ah I fo we
would have it : let them not fay, we have fwal-
lowed him up. P/olmxxxy. 2^.
3. Sometimes, and moft frequently, com-
panion and complaint.
In youth alone, unhappy mortals live;
But, ab .' the mighty blifs is fugitive :
Difcqiour'd (ickncfs, anxious labour come,
And age and death's inexorable doom.
Dryd.Vlrg. Geerg. iii,.
^^met the blooming pride of May,
And tl'^t oi' beauty are but one :
At morn botlvflouriih bright and gay.
Both t\dc at evening, pale, and gone. Prion
4. When it is followed by tiat, it ex-
prcflTes vehement dcfire.
In gooJncfs, as in greatnefs, they excel ;
Ab I that we lov'd ourfelvcs but half fo well.
Drydcn's JuvtruL
Aha'! Aha'! intcrjeilion. A word inti-
mating triumph and comenipt.
They
AID
They opened their mouth wide aga!nflf mty
>nd faid, aba I aha ! our eye hath fcen it.
Pfalm XXXV. II.
Ahs'ad. aJv. [from a and i6fW.]
1, Farther onward than another : a fea
term.
And now the mighty Centaur fe«ms to lead.
And now the fpeedy Doiphin gets akiad.
DrydiTs't j^nehl.
t. Headlong ; precipitanlly :^ ufed of ani-
mals, and figuratively of men.
It is mightily the fault of parents, guardians,
tutors, and governours, tiut lb many men mif-
carry. They fuffer them at firil to run ahead,
and, when perverfe inclinations arc advanced into
habits, there is no dealing with them.
VEfirargfi Tahiti.
'.Ahe'icht. adv. [from a and hcigbt.'\
Aloft ; on high.
But have I falPn or no ?—
—From the dread I'ummit of this chalky bourne !
■ Look up aheigbf, the ftir!ll-gorg'd iafk {o far
Cannot be fecn or hlard. HhahJ^, Khr Lfar,
jiHOUjfl. n.f. The name of a poifonous
plant.
7» AID. T/. a. \aider, Fr. from adjutare,
Lat.] To help ; to fupport ; to fuc-
cour.
Into the lake he leapt, hh lord to a'u!.
And of him catching hold, him Itrongly Ifaid
From drowning. Fairy ^uetr,
Ncnhfr fliail they give any thing unto them
that make war upon them, or aid them with
rituals, weapons, ir.oney, or fiiips.
Mauabet!, viii. 26.
By the loud trumpet, which our courage aidiy
We learn that found as well as fenfe perfuadcs.
Rofcimmtn,
Aid. n.f. [from To aid.]
1 . Help ; fupport.
The memory of ufeful thiiigs may receive con-
£derable aid, if they are thrown into verfc.
fVatti^t Improvtment cf tbt Mind.
Your patrimonial ftorcs in peace poifefs j
Undoubted all your filial claim confefs :
Your private right HiouU impious power invade,
The peers of Ithaca woutd arm in aid. Pift's Od.
2. The perfon that gives help or fupport ;
a helper ; auxiliary.
Thou haft fajd, it is not good that man fhould
be alone ; let us make unto Elm an aid, like unto
himfelf. Tidiit, viii. 6.
Great aidi came in tq him, partly upon mi/fives,
and partly voluacaries from many parts.
Bui.n't Henry Vn.
3. In law.
A fubfidy. jlid !• alfo particularly ufed, in
matter of pleading, for a petition made in cuurt,
for the calling in of help frcm another, that hath
an interrft in the caufe in ijueflion ; and is I.kc-
wife both to give (trength to tne party that pray,
in aid of hiiti, an<i' alio to avoid a prejudice ai.-
cruing towards his own right, except it be pre-
vented : as, when a ter.ant for term of lite, c.iur-
tefy, £*?. being impleaded touchinf; his cftate, lit
may pray in aid of him in the reverlion ; that is,
entreat the court, that he may be called in bv
writ, to all-ge what he thinks good for the main-
tenance both of his right and his own. O/ivrll.
Ai'dance. n.f. [from aid.] Help; fup-
port : a word liiile ufed.
Oft have I Icca a timely parted ghoft,
Of aOy femblancc, meagre, pale, and b|.)»d!tf3,
R ■- ; defcendcd to the lab'ring heart,
the wnflift that it holds with death,
^.t rrtUs the fame foraidance 'gainft the cnemv.
Sbattlfrert's Hrrtry VI.
Ai'dant. adj. [aidant, Fr.] Helping;
helpful : no! in ufe.
,.,. "^n ibliOi'd virtues of r'-,' ~ ■'
S ■ tent ; \>t aidai:'
ii. . • :.-. ;n'5 diftrcfi. Si. Liar.
A I M
Ai'der. h./. [from aid.] He that brings
aid or help ; a h-lper ; an ally